D/FW International Airport Welcomes Alaska Airlines to North Texas

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Still sweltering in temperatures near 100 degrees in Texas, inaugural passengers for Alaska Airlines' new service from DFW to Seattle and Anchorage were greeted today with cool food from the Pacific Northwest and refreshing entertainment from native Alaskan dancers. Alaska Airlines becomes the third major carrier to announce new service at DFW in 2005, joining Mexicana Airlines and Spirit Airlines in offering North Texas travelers more flights and lower fares from Alaska to the Caribbean.

"Seattle is one of the top destinations for local travelers and the additional service to Anchorage is great for those traveling on business or vacationing to experience the beauty of Alaska," says Joe Lopano, executive vice president of marketing and terminal management at DFW. "The new service by Alaska Airlines is further proof that competition is alive and well at DFW. Over twenty passenger carriers have found that DFW is a great market that fits their business models and we eagerly welcome Alaska Airlines to Texas."

Mexicana Airlines has already started service to three cities in Mexico this year (Morelia, Zacatecas, and Guadalajara), while Spirit Airlines just this month announced new nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale with connections to several points in the Caribbean beginning in January 2006.

Alaska Airlines provides two daily nonstop flights between DFW and Seattle timed for convenient connections to cities throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada, both on Alaska Airlines and its sister carrier Horizon Air. One of the flights offers same-plane continuing service to and from Anchorage, Alaska.

Travelers will enjoy some unique touches in passenger service including the availability of Alaska's state-of-the-art digEplayer entertainment system, a handheld video-on-demand device offering first-run movies, television programs and other entertainment options from the comfort of passengers' seats. Alaska is also offering low introductory fares to introduce the service to Texans.

"Alaska Airlines is proud to bring our unique brand of service and competitive fares to Dallas/Forth Worth," said Gregg Saretsky, Alaska's executive vice president of marketing and planning. "We thank Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport for their warm welcome and look forward to making our aircraft a frequent site in the Lone Star State."

Traveling northbound, flight 811 departs Dallas/Fort Worth at 7 a.m. Central time and arrives in Seattle at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Flight 809 departs Dallas/Fort Worth at 6:10 p.m. Central time, arrives in Seattle at 8:10 p.m. Pacific time and provides same-plane continuing service to Anchorage arriving at 11:30 p.m. Alaskan time.

Traveling southbound, flight 810 departs Seattle at 12:20 a.m. Pacific time and arrives in Dallas/Fort Worth at 6:10 a.m. Central time. Flight 808, which originates in Anchorage at 6 a.m. Alaskan time and offers same-plane continuing service, departs Seattle at 11:20 a.m. Pacific time and arrives in Dallas/Fort Worth at 5:10 p.m. Central time.

About Alaska Airlines

Alaska and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve more than 80 cities in Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada and Mexico. For reservations visit http://www.alaskaair.com . For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com .

About DFW International Airport

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's third busiest, offering nearly 2,000 flights per day and serving 57 million passengers a year. DFW International Airport provides non-stop service to 135 domestic and 39 international destinations worldwide. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, log on to http://www.dfwairport.com .