SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 2, 2002--New security screening express lanes added at the Seattle and Portland airports are getting Horizon Air passengers flying between Seattle and Portland through security quickly.

Horizon operates 30 Shuttle flights each way on an every half-hour schedule between Seattle and Portland every business day.

The new Portland Airport security express lane is exclusively for Horizon passengers flying the Horizon Shuttle to Seattle and is located at the security checkpoint to the A, B, and C concourses. The Sea-Tac security express lanes are located at the C and D concourse checkpoints and also at the North Satellite checkpoint. Those who qualify for these express lanes include Horizon passengers flying the Horizon Shuttle to Portland, as well as Horizon and Alaska MVP Gold-level Mileage Plan members and anyone traveling without carry-on luggage or using a wheelchair.

"For the thousands of business travelers who depend on our Seattle-Portland Shuttle to save them valuable time, these new express lanes will ensure they get through security as quickly as possible," said Patrick Zachwieja, Horizon Air vice president of marketing and planning. "It's part of our overall effort to significantly improve the security screening process for all passengers at our busiest airports."

In addition to the new security express lanes, Horizon Seattle-Portland Shuttle passengers can save money with new lower fares, and for a limited time, can earn triple Mileage Plan frequent flyer miles when flying Horizon between Seattle and Portland.

Mileage Plan frequent flyer program members can earn triple miles each way on all Horizon flights taken between Seattle and Portland from Jan. 1 through March 31, 2002. Actual mileage on the route is 129 miles, but Mileage Plan members can get triple the normal 500 program miles, earning 1,500 miles each way. To qualify for the extra miles, Mileage Plan members must register at www.horizonair.com or call 866/604-3275 (toll-free) before their first qualifying flight.

Horizon recently announced a cut of up to 27 percent on its Seattle-Portland Shuttle business fares. Fully refundable one-way fares between Seattle and Portland now start as low as $109 when purchased three days prior to travel. The lowest one-way walk-up fare that can be purchased anytime prior to travel is now $119. These fares include federal taxes but do not include passenger facility charges of $4.50, federal segment taxes of $3, and security fees of $2.50, each way.

Express lanes are only one of the many ways Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines are making getting through the airport as easy as possible for all customers. Passengers holding electronic tickets can check in and print their boarding passes from their home or office PC before leaving for the airport or use one of the convenient Instant Travel Machines at the airport. With Horizon's popular Ala Cart baggage service, passengers can bypass baggage claim. They can take one piece of baggage to the aircraft, deposit it on a planeside cart, and reclaim it planeside at the destination. That's in addition to the purse, laptop or briefcase that can be taken on board.

Getting to and from Downtown Portland and Portland International Airport is easier than ever too, thanks to MAX, Tri-Met's light rail system. MAX's new Red Line departs every 15 minutes from Horizon's baggage claim, arriving in Downtown Portland in just 38 minutes. That's less time than it takes to pick up a rental car and drive.

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