SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 11, 2001--Readers of Travel & Leisure magazine have voted Alaska Airlines the best carrier in the nation, the magazine announced today as part of its annual "World's Best Awards."

"This marks the third time we have been selected for this honor," said CEO John Kelly. "It's extremely gratifying that our customers continue to recognize us as the best, and the credit truly falls directly on the shoulders of our dedicated employees."

Alaska was voted best domestic airline in 1996, the first year of the "World's Best Awards," and again in 1999. The other years since the award was created, Alaska was voted the best major domestic airline.

In the foreign airline arena, perennial champion Singapore Airlines was again voted best foreign carrier.

In the best North American cities category, three destinations in Alaska's world joined New York and Montreal in the top five: Washington, D.C.; San Francisco; and Chicago. Florence, Italy, was voted No. 1 city in the world, followed by Rome and Paris.

Alaska, along with the other winners of this year's "World's Best Awards" will be honored at a presentation ceremony July 26 in New York City.

Travel & Leisure is widely considered one of the premier publications in the travel industry. A complete run down of its award winners will appear in the August 3 edition of the magazine.

Alaska Airlines serves 43 cities in Alaska, Canada, the Lower 48 and Mexico. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom on the Internet at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com.

--30--AMP/se*