| URL: |
http://www.alaska-air.com/
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| Telephone: |
+1 800 252 752-247 |
| Type of airline: |
Scheduled airline |
| Country: |
United States (US) |
| Call sign: |
ALASKA |
| Address: |
Alaska Airlines
P.O. Box 68900
Seattle, WA 98168
USA |
| Home airport: |
SEA |
| Year founded: |
1932 |
| Type of company: |
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| Alliances: |
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Number of aircraft: |
115 |
| Passengers per year: |
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Pre check-in: |
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| Check-in opens: |
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Check-in closes: |
30 min |
| Baggage allowance: |
23 kg |
Hand luggage / hold luggage: |
10 kg max. 61 x 43 x 25 cm |
| Seat reservation charge: |
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Legroom (seat pitch): |
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| Seat width: |
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Charge for sporting equipment: |
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Description:
Horizon Air History
Horizon Air was formed to satisfy the need created when, after the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, larger airlines abandoned routes within the Northwest. To fill this market niche, entrepreneur Milt Kuolt and a group of venture capitalists founded Horizon in Seattle in September 1981. Horizon brought together 36 enthusiastic employees and a fleet consisting of two leased Fairchild F-27 turboprop aircraft to begin service between Yakima, Pasco and Seattle.
The Early Years
In the early 1980s, Horizon grew rapidly.
In 1982, Horizon acquired Air Oregon, which had served Oregon for a number of years. In 1983, Horizon acquired Utah-based Transwestern Airlines, which served the intermountain West, including Boise. Both these acquisitions expanded Horizon's system map considerably.
In early 1984, Horizon became a public company with an initial stock offering of 750,000 shares. The stock sale was an immediate success and was used to retire debt and provide funding for future aircraft acquisition.
Growth within Alaska Air Group
By 1986 the company's proven track record attracted the attention of larger airlines. In the end, Horizon was acquired by Seattle-based Alaska Air Group, Inc., a holding company that included Alaska Airlines.
While remaining independently managed, Horizon gained the competitive advantage of connections with sister carrier Alaska Airlines and partnership in the Mileage Plan frequent flier program. Horizon also code-shares with Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines and other marketing partners.
Today, Horizon is about 4,000 employees strong and serves more than 40 cities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, California, Arizona, British Columbia and Alberta. The company is recognized as one of the leading regional airlines in the country and holds the distinction of being the only one named to Condé Nast Traveler Magazine's Readers Choice Awards list.
Horizon has a general office in Seattle, its primary maintenance base in Portland, and additional maintenance facilities in Boise, Seattle, Pasco and Spokane.
Horizon is not resting on its laurels. The company has one of the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleets of any U.S. regional airline. Horizon has accomplished this through the addition of Bombardier Q400 turboprops and CRJ-700 regional jets (both with 70 seats) and the corresponding retirement of older aircraft.
The new aircraft are roomier and quieter, enhancing the travel experience. The longer range of the CRJ-700s and Q400s also allow Horizon to take customers to new, more-distant markets.
The new aircraft have joined the 37-seat Bombardier Q200s, which were added to the fleet in 1997 and will continue to be used for shorter distances.
Even with the addition of new aircraft and customer service technology (including Web-based ticketing and wireless or Instant Travel Machine check-in), Horizon has never lost sight of its emphasis on the personal touch. Now as much as during the company's early years, Horizon's exceptional employees - known for their dedication and friendliness - draw customers back again and again.
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