Alaska Airlines & Horizon Air Voted Best in U.S. By Highly Regarded Travel Magazine.

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1999--

Readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine have voted Alaska Airlines the nation's best major airline, while tabbing Alaska's sister carrier Horizon Air as best regional carrier.

Traveler, one of the nation's premier travel publications, asked its readers to rate airlines on scheduling, punctuality, cabin service, baggage handling and in-flight meals.

For Alaska, the honor comes on the heels of kudos from another prestigious travel publication. Readers of Travel & Leisure magazine recently voted Alaska the "World's Best Domestic Airline."

"These honors belong to the more than 14,000 dedicated women and men who make Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air the preferred carriers in the West," said John Kelly, chairman and CEO of Alaska Air Group. "Given the relatively modest share of the domestic market that we serve, it's a real tribute to earn national recognition like this.

In overall voting among U.S. airlines, Alaska placed No. 2 and Horizon No. 3 behind Midwest Express, a specialty carrier that offers all-first-class seating.

This marked the tenth straight year that Traveler readers have voted Alaska best major U.S. carrier. The closest competitor this year was Continental, which came in No. 4.

Horizon's third-place showing -- which Kelly characterized as "unprecedented" for a regional carrier -- marks the third straight year it has been in the top 10. Last year Horizon was No. 5 and the year before it was No. 6.

Among international carriers, Singapore Airlines was rated tops for the ninth time in 10 years.

The results of Conde Nast Travelers' wide-ranging Readers' Choice Awards are detailed in this month's edition.

Alaska and Horizon serve more than 70 cities throughout the Western U.S., Canada and Mexico.