Alaska Airlines has grown from a small regional airline to one carrying more than 12 million customers per year. AS is their IATA designator.

Alaska's route system spans more than 40 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They formerly flew to the Russian Far East. The Alaska Airlines fleet of 102 Boeing jets is one of the youngest among all major airlines. Its reputation for outstanding service consistently earns best U.S. airline recognition from sources such as Travel&Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines.

Its safety record rates a “A", the highest grade possible, according to Air Rankings Online (see rankings at Airline Rankings). Rankings are cumulatives, based on the number of fatal accidents per million flights that the carrier has flown since 1970.

Notwithstanding the above, on January 31, 2000, Alaska Airlines Flight 261 plunged into the Pacific Ocean shortly after taking off from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in route to San Francisco and Seattle, killing all 88 people on board.

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