SEATTLE, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Travelers in the Pacific Northwest will have better access to Asia because of a new partnership between Korean Air and Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. The carriers have entered into a codeshare agreement and expanded frequent flier partnership that will allow members to earn and redeem miles in either Korean Air's SKYPASS or the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program.

Customers can take advantage of the new partnership from Korean Air's West Coast gateways of Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco, with connecting flights from other points throughout the Pacific Northwest. The agreement starts August 1, and customers can begin earning and redeeming miles starting Sept. 3.

"This new codeshare agreement will significantly benefit customers traveling from the Pacific Northwest and California to Asia and other international destinations, taking advantage of Korean Air's extensive network," said Brad Tilden, Alaska Airlines' executive vice president of finance and planning and chief financial officer. "Customers will be able to purchase a single ticket, check bags only once and enjoy convenient connections to their final Korean Air destination, while also earning Mileage Plan frequent flier miles."

This is the fifth partnership that Korean Air shares with U.S. carriers.

"Our new partnership will solidify Korean Air's leadership in the trans-Pacific market from the Pacific Northwest," said John Jackson, Korean Air's director of sales and marketing for the Americas. "This fills out our North American network and complements our partnerships with other U.S. airlines," Jackson added. "Alaska Airlines, along with its sister carrier Horizon Air, is the leader in the western United States, and we know this partnership will provide significant benefits for both airlines' passengers."

About Korean Air

Korean Air, with a fleet of 126 aircraft, is one of the world's top 20 airlines, and operates almost 400 passenger flights per day to 115 cities in 38 countries. It is a founding member of SkyTeam, the global airlines alliance - partnering with Aeroflot, AeroMexico, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM and Northwest Airlines to provide customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. More on Korean Air's programs, routes, frequency and partners is available at http://www.koreanair.com/.

About Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can earn or redeem mileage on 14 airlines, including more major U.S. airlines than any other frequent flier program. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan was recently named "Best Frequent Flier Program" at the annual Freddie Awards. And the airline was rated first in overall customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates in 2008. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air together serve 95 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

Web site: http://www.alaskaair.com/
http://www.koreanair.com/