Alaska Airlines to Serve as Iditarod’s Official Airline

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Alaska Airlines will serve as the official airline sponsor of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, marking the 34th year the carrier has supported the event.

"We are proud to be a sponsor of the Last Great Race," said Marilyn Romano, Alaska Airlines’ regional vice president – Alaska. "The Iditarod has a rich history and every year a new story is told. Alaska Airlines is honored to be associated with the race to help emphasize the success and safety of the mushers and their dogs."

The airline will again present the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award, which recognizes one musher for providing exemplary dog care and is considered the highest honor a competitor can receive. The award is named after one of Alaska‘s most-celebrated mushers, whose 1925 sled-dog team traveled the longest distance to transport diphtheria serum to Nome.

As part of its sponsorship, Alaska Airlines also will provide air transportation and dog-care supplies for Iditarod veterinarians who care for the race dogs’ health and safety.

In addition, many Alaska Airlines employees contribute their time at the event. The Dog Squad, staffed by airline employee volunteers, again will assist mushers and their dogs at the finish line. Several Alaska Airlines pilots will lead the Iditarod Air Force, flying veterinarians, supplies and volunteers to remote checkpoints along the trail.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines