Alaska Airlines Launching Daily Service from Seattle to Philadelphia, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

SEATTLE, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines announced today it will launch new daily nonstop service between Seattle and Philadelphia, starting June 11, and between Seattle and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., beginning July 16, 2012.

"Philadelphia is one of the largest cities we don't currently serve from Seattle while Fort Lauderdale is a popular departure point for cruise ship passengers," said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing. "We're excited to be bringing our award-winning customer service to the 'City of Brotherly Love' and 'The Venice of America.' "

With the introduction of Seattle-Fort Lauderdale service, Alaska Airlines will discontinue flights to Miami, a city the carrier has served from its Seattle hub since 2002.

"Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports are about 27 miles apart, so changing the airport we serve should have little effect on our customers," Sprague said. "By redirecting our flight to the lower-cost Fort Lauderdale airport, we can serve the same geographic area and continue to offer our customers low fares."

To celebrate the new market announcements, Alaska Airlines is offering introductory fares starting from $190* each way between Seattle and Philadelphia, and starting from $170* each way between Seattle and Fort Lauderdale. Both fares include all government taxes and fees. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 13 and can be used for travel through July 11 for Philadelphia and by Aug. 29, 2012, for Fort Lauderdale. Visit www.alaskaair.com to purchase a ticket or call 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522 or TTY/TDD line 1-800-392-0228).

Members of Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan also can earn double miles on the carrier's nonstop flights between Seattle and Philadelphia through Aug. 6 and between Seattle and Fort Lauderdale through Sept. 11, 2012. To qualify, customers must first register at www.alaskaair.com.     

The flights will be operated on Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin. All flights will offer Alaska's Northern Bites meal service, which allows passengers in the main cabin to purchase a hot meal for $6 or a cheese and fruit platter for $7. The flights also will offer Alaska's digEplayer inflight entertainment system, a handheld video-on-demand device featuring first-run movies, television programs and other entertainment options. The digEplayers are complimentary in first class and available for $14 in the main cabin.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

*General terms and conditions: A ticket purchased at an Alaska Airlines airport location or through a reservation call center will cost $15 more per person than the advertised fare. Tickets are nonrefundable. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or all days.  Other restrictions — such as day of week, blackout dates and advance purchase requirements — may apply. Visit www.alaskaair.com or call Alaska Airlines reservations at 1-800-ALASKAAIR for more information.

Terms and conditions for Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan double miles: Registration at www.alaskaair.com prior to the first qualifying flight is required in order to receive double miles. Other rules and restrictions apply to double mile promotions. Visit alaskaair.com for details.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines