Alaska Airlines takes veterans from Alaska to Washington, D.C. with Last Frontier Honor Flight

Twenty-three veterans will view their war memorials for the first time

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Oct. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines is flying 23 military veterans and their guardians from the state of Alaska to Washington, D.C., to view their war memorials. Veterans on today's Honor Flight fought in World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Veterans from Anchorage, Ketchikan and Fort Yukon will be treated to a four-night, five-day trip, courtesy of Alaska Airlines and the Last Frontier Honor Flight. From Anchorage, the group will connect in Portland, Oregon, before continuing on to Washington Reagan National Airport.

"These brave men and women made great sacrifices for our country," said Marilyn Romano, Alaska Airlines' regional vice president in the state of Alaska. "It is an honor to help them fulfill a dream to see the memorials dedicated to all that have served."

This is the second Honor Flight departing the state of Alaska this year. Since 2012, Alaska Airlines has donated over $250,000 in free air travel and discounted companion travel to the Last Frontier Honor Flight program. Alaska Airlines is the only airline to operate Honor Flights for veterans in the state of Alaska and also operates Honor Flights for veterans in Washington and Oregon.

"The Last Frontier Honor Flight is the envy of the 140 hubs throughout the honor flight network because of our relationship with Alaska Airlines," said Ron Travis, president of the Last Frontier Honor Flight. "Alaska Airlines support gives us the opportunity to honor Alaska veterans into the future."

Veterans will return to a hero's welcome on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. A public reception is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Alaska time at the airport near TSA before security.

Honor Flight Network is a national organization working to transport America's veterans to visit their war memorials in Washington, D.C. The Last Frontier Honor Flight program is an Honor Flight Network regional hub in the state of Alaska. Veterans in the state of Alaska are selected for Honor Flights by age and can apply for the program by visiting the Last Frontier Honor Flight's website at www.lastfrontierhonorflight.com.

Alaska Airlines, together with its regional partners, flies 32 million customers a year to more than 110 cities with an average of 970 daily flights throughout the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico and soon Cuba. With Alaska's global airline partners, customers can earn and redeem miles to more than 800 destinations worldwide. Onboard, customers are invited to make the most of their flight with amenities like power outlets at every seat, streaming entertainment direct to their device, Wi-Fi and an inspired food and beverage selection featured on most flights. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study for nine consecutive years from 2008 to 2016. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report for the last three consecutive years. Alaska Airlines is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). Learn more on the airline's newsroom, blog, alaskaair.com, @AlaskaAir, facebook.com/alaskaairlines and linkedin.com/company/alaska-airlines.