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Continental Airlines And Alaska Airlines Announce Marketing Alliance

Airlines (NYSE: CAI.B and CAI.A) and Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK) announced today that they have formed a broad strategic marketing alliance. Through this alliance, which also includes Alaska`s sister carrier Horizon Air, the airlines will codeshare on each others` flights, enable their Frequent Flyer Program members to earn and redeem miles on either carrier`s flights network-wide, and pursue other forms of marketing cooperation.

Continental and Alaska anticipate commencing codesharing and reciprocal frequent flyer mileage earning privileges upon obtaining all necessary government approvals. Reciprocal frequent flyer mileage redemption privileges will begin soon thereafter.


During the first phase of codesharing, Continental will codeshare on Alaska and Horizon Air flights that connect to Continental in Seattle and Portland to over 30 destinations, including Alaska markets such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Ketchikan, and to Pacific Northwest markets such as Spokane, Pasco, and Pullman, Wash.; Eugene and Medford, Ore.; and Boise, Idaho.


In addition, Alaska will codeshare on Continental`s flights between both Seattle and Portland, and Continental`s hubs in New York/Newark, Houston and Cleveland. The carriers anticipate extending codesharing to include most of their networks in the Western United States, and between the Western United States and both Canada and Mexico, subject to government approval.


“We are excited to partner with Alaska and Horizon to offer our customers significantly expanded travel opportunities in the Western United States,” said Gordon Bethune, chairman and CEO of Continental Airlines. “With only one overlapping route but a common approach to delivering the best service to our customers, an alliance between Continental and Alaska/Horizon is a perfect fit.”

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“We`re proud to be associated with another carrier that`s as committed to excellence in customer service as we are,” said John F. Kelly, chairman, president and CEO of Alaska Air Group, the holding company for both Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. “Our loyal frequent flyers will have truly seamless connections around the world, along with more opportunities to earn and use Alaska and Horizon Mileage Plan miles.”
Alaska Airlines is the nation`s 10th largest carrier, operating major hubs in Anchorage, Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles. Together with its sister carrier, Horizon Air, the carriers serve more than 70 cities in six Western states, Mexico and Canada.


Alaska has been recognized as the best major U.S. carrier by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure magazines, while Horizon has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as the nation`s best regional carrier. For more information, visit Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air on the Internet at www.alaskaair.com. or www.horizonair.com.
Continental Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 2,200 departures daily to 128 domestic and 79 international destinations. Operating major hubs in Newark, Houston and Cleveland, Continental (http://www.continental.com) has extensive service throughout the Americas, and to Europe and Asia. Continental recently initiated a strategic global alliance with Northwest Airlines. Continental is in the top half of FORTUNE magazine`s “100 Best Companies to Work for in America,” and has won numerous other awards for its BusinessFirst premium cabin (Condé Nast Traveler, OAG Official Airline Guides, Entrepreneur and Smart Money magazines), OnePass frequent flyer program (InsideFlyer`s Freddie Awards) and overall operations and management (Air Transport World`s 1997 Airline of the Year).

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