SEATTLE, Apr 28, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alaska Airlines began service today from Vancouver to Orange County, home of Disney Resorts and Knott's Berry Farm.

The daily service provides the first nonstop flight between the West Coast cruise capital and its theme-park capital and also makes Orange County's John Wayne Airport an international airport.

Alaska is celebrating the new service with a $291 return fare. Tickets must be purchased by May 9 and travel completed by August 30.

In conjunction with the start of service, Alaska is offering double Mileage Plan miles on the Orange County-Vancouver nonstop flight through June 15.

Alaska will operate the route using 120-seat Next Generation Boeing 737-700s, including 12 First Class seats.

The southbound flight, Alaska Flight 598, departs Vancouver at 1:38 p.m. and arrives in Orange County at 4:33 p.m. The northbound flight, Alaska Flight 597, departs Orange County at 10:00 a.m. and arrives in Vancouver at 2:58 p.m.

With the new Orange County flight, Alaska now serves Vancouver with 11 daily flights. Alaska's other nonstop destinations from Vancouver are Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Francisco and Seattle. In addition, there is also same-plane service to Palm Springs and Sacramento. Alaska's sister airline, Horizon Air, serves Vancouver with 20 additional flights.

The inaugural fare is return from Vancouver and requires a 14-day advance purchase and a Friday or Saturday night stay. Tickets are non-refundable but can be changed for $73 plus any applicable changes in fare. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights and on all days. Fares are subject to change without notice and other restrictions apply. Fare does not include GST of up to $34, which varies by airport; the NAVCAN Surcharge of $15; U.S transportation tax of $40; Vancouver Airport improvement fee of $10; U.S. immigration fee of $11; U.S. security fee of up to $18; a Canadian security fee of $12 for travel after June 1; and U.S. airport fees of up to $18. Fare shown is in CAD.

Double Miles are valid only for Mileage Plan members on Alaska Flights 597 and 598 between Orange County and Vancouver. Flights must be flown by June 15 and credited to Mileage Plan. Other restrictions apply. Mileage Plan enrollment is available online at www.alaskaair.com.

The nation's ninth largest carrier, Alaska celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. The carrier was recently ranked No. 1 in the annual Airline Quality Ratings compiled by Wichita State University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. And readers of Travel+Leisure magazine recently named Alaska the "World's Best Domestic Airline." Alaska and its sister carrier, Horizon Air, together serve 80 cities in the Lower 48, Alaska, Canada and Mexico. For reservations go to www.alaskaair.com, call Alaska's toll-free reservations line at 1-800/ALASKAAIR (1-800/252-7522) or call your travel agent.

For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom on the Internet at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com.

Alaska Airlines

CONTACT: Alaska Airlines, Seattle Jack Walsh, 206/901-8753 Jack Evans, 206/433-3134