Alaska Airlines to Serve as Official Airline of Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

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Feb 28, 2013, 09:00 ET

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Feb. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines will serve as the official airline sponsor of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, marking the 35th year the carrier has supported the event.

"It's a privilege to be the official airline of The Last Great Race," said Marilyn Romano, Alaska Airlines' regional vice president – Alaska. "Each year the Iditarod brings to life an important part of the heritage of our namesake state."

As the official airline of the Iditarod, Alaska Airlines continues its tradition of presenting the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award, which recognizes one musher for providing exemplary dog care and is considered the highest honor a competitor can receive. Voted on by the trail veterinarians, the Leonhard Seppala 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 help provide air transportation and dog-care supplies for 50 Iditarod veterinarians who come to Alaska from across the United States to care for the race dogs' health and safety.

In addition, many Alaska Airlines employees contribute their time at the event. Among them are several Alaska Airlines pilots who lead the Iditarod Air Force, flying veterinarians, supplies and volunteers to remote checkpoints along the trail.

Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves 95 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines has ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates North America Airline Satisfaction Study^SM for five consecutive years from 2008 to 2012. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines