Alaska Airlines Enhances Website Using ITA Software Technology.

Business Editors

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 21, 2004

Alaska Airlines has contracted with ITA Software to enhance its alaskaair.com fare search engine. Customers will now find a broader range of schedule and fare choices when shopping fares for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air.

The ITA Software QPX system is Linux-based and uses XML, a standard in cross-application, cross-industry integration. It is also faster and less expensive than traditional travel industry pricing systems.

"This new partnership with ITA will allow us to expand and grow alaskaair.com to give our customers better service and even more flexibility," said Steve Jarvis, Alaska's staff vice president of e-commerce and distribution. "This is in keeping with Alaska Airlines' tradition of being at the forefront of technological advances for our customers." Jarvis said that Alaska currently receives 30 percent of its total bookings via alaskaair.com.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, ITA Software was founded in 1996 by computer scientists from the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Recent customers include Orbitz, Air Canada, America West Airlines and Continental Airlines, in addition to Alaska Airlines.

"Alaska Airlines is a well known leader of using advanced technology to solve complex problems." said Jeremy Wertheimer, president and CEO, ITA Software. "We're excited to be working with them to provide a comprehensive and efficient solution for online flight shopping."

Alaska Airlines became the first North American carrier to sell tickets online in 1995, and in 1999 was the first airline in the world to allow customers to check-in for flights via the Internet. The nation's ninth largest carrier, Alaska Airlines was named 2003 Technology Leader of the Year by Air Transport World Magazine.

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

ITA Software, Inc. (www.itasoftware.com) is the leader in innovative airline distribution technology. ITA Software delivers significant cost-savings and powerful functionality to leading travel companies including Orbitz, Alaska Airlines, America West Airlines, Air Canada, Continental Airlines, Galileo International, Accovia, and others. ITA Software was founded by computer scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.