SEATTLE, Dec 14, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alaska Airlines (NYSE:ALK) will inaugurate service tomorrow from Los Angeles to Cancun, providing the only daily nonstop service by a U.S. carrier from the West Coast to the popular Caribbean resort.

"This gives easy access to the spectacular beaches and archeological wonders of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera to our customers in California, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and western Canada," said Gregg Saretesky, Alaska's senior vice president of marketing and planning.

The flight departs Los Angeles at 1:19 p.m. PST and arrives in Cancun at 8:25 p.m. CST. The return flight departs Cancun at 10:25 a.m. CST and arrives in Los Angeles at 2:10 p.m. PST. The routing also provides same-plane service between Seattle and Cancun.

Cancun, located at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, receives one-third of all tourist arrivals to Mexico and is one of the top 10 tourist destinations worldwide.

Alaska will initially serve the route using Boeing 737-700 aircraft configured to carry 120 passengers. After February 10, a Boeing 737-900 aircraft configured for 172 passengers will be used to provide for heavier traffic during peak season. The Next Generation Boeing 737s make possible the 2,117 mile flight from Los Angeles to Cancun.

Cancun is Alaska's sixth destination in Mexico. Alaska also serves the West Coast resorts of Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Manzanillo/Costa Alegre.

Earlier this year, Alaska Airlines was voted "World's Best Domestic Airline" by readers of Travel+Leisure magazine. 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.

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

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