Horizon Air Adding Direct Flights from Spokane to Sacramento and San Jose

Horizon Air will launch twice-daily direct service from Spokane to Sacramento and San Jose starting March 26, 2010, providing a new link between these three vital and growing metropolitan regions.

"This new service provides convenient new flight options for both business and leisure travelers, and further strengthens our Horizon Air/Alaska Airlines network on the West Coast," said Dan Russo, Horizon vice president of marketing and communication.

One daily flight from Spokane will operate nonstop to Sacramento and continue on to San Jose, while a second flight will operate nonstop to San Jose and continue on to Sacramento. The new service also includes a second daily roundtrip between San Jose and Sacramento, facilitating same-day business trips in each direction between the two cities.

“We are delighted that Horizon Air is launching nonstop service to two integral Northern California communities: Sacramento and San Jose,” said Neal Sealock, Spokane International Airport director. “Convenient service to these two cities addresses long-sought customer demand. It also fulfills an economic development need to reach these two markets that are global centers of excellence in the technology sector. In an unprecedented era of economic uncertainty, we are grateful for Horizon’s confidence and investment in the Spokane market.”

“Connecting Silicon Valley and our beautiful new airport with Horizon’s expanding network will benefit the people in all our communities,” said Bill Sherry, Mineta San Jose International Airport director of aviation.

“Sacramento International Airport has been without convenient, nonstop service to Spokane since 2008,” said Hardy Acree, Sacramento County Airport System director of airports. “We are pleased that Horizon understands the demand for these flights and will now offer our passengers the convenience they want.”

All flights will be operated with 76-seat Bombardier Q400s. This high-speed, twin-engine turboprop is one of the most technologically advanced regional aircraft in the world. It's as quiet and comfortable as a jet – thanks to special technology that suppresses noise and vibration, generously sized overhead storage bins, unobstructed under-seat space, and ample headroom (6 feet, 5 inches). The Q400 is also among the most environmentally friendly aircraft today, burning 30 percent to 40 percent less fuel and producing an equally lower amount of emissions (and 10 decibels less noise) than comparable jets.

Onboard, travelers will enjoy Horizon's award-winning service, which includes – at no extra charge – Starbucks coffee, soft drinks, and (for passengers 21 and older) Northwest wines and microbrews. Members of the Horizon Air/Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan frequent flier program earn 500 miles or actual mileage, whichever is greater, on Horizon flights. Mileage Plan miles are redeemable for flights worldwide on Horizon Air, Alaska Airlines and their numerous Mileage Plan partner airlines.

Schedule effective March 26, 2010:

Horizon and Alaska first began serving Spokane in 1983. Together, the two airlines offer more daily flights from Spokane than any other carrier, with nonstop flights to Boise, Portland, and Seattle.

Horizon served Sacramento from 1985 through 1988, and has served it continually since 1994. Alaska has served Sacramento since 1993. Together, the two airlines offer 12 flights from Sacramento, providing nonstop service to Boise, Palm Springs, Portland, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Seattle.

San Jose has been served by Horizon since 1995 and by Alaska since 1983. Together, the two airlines offer nonstop service from San Jose to Austin, Boise, Portland, Sacramento, Seattle and, starting Dec. 17, Mammoth Lakes.

Horizon serves 48 cities throughout Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Baja California Sur (Mexico), and British Columbia and Alberta (Canada). Together, Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines serve more than 90 cities and are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALK).