SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20,2001--Going once, going twice: Alaska Airlines (NYSE:ALK) is auctioning off 50 seats on the first-ever, commercial flight of the new Boeing 737-900.

Alaska is the launch customer for the -900, the largest 737 model ever built. To celebrate this historic first, Alaska is hosting a charity mileage auction for a chance to take a one-hour flight-seeing tour of Puget Sound. Also on board will be several other "famous firsts," including Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who flew on the first mission to the moon.

The auction is open to all members of the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, the carrier's frequent flyer program. For complete information, including how to bid, log on at www.alaskaair.com and click on The Mileage Plan Auction Link. Minimum bid is 20,000 Mileage Plan miles, and Mileage Plan members can continue to increase their bids through April 30.

All miles auctioned will be donated to charity to provide transportation for children and their family members for medical treatment. The charities include Ronald McDonald House Charities, AirLifeLine, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Shriners' Burn Center.

Winning bidders will be notified May 4. Winners who reside outside the Seattle area but on the Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air route system will receive complimentary air transportation to Seattle and one night hotel stay at the West Coast Hotel, Sea-Tac. Other restrictions apply. A complete list of rules is posted online at www.alaskaair.com. Alaska is scheduled to take delivery of five 737-900s this year. Each of the aircraft is configured to carry 172 passengers, 16 in First Class and 156 in Coach.

--30--MRO/se*