SEATTLE, Nov. 17, 2008 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) CEO Richard Anderson and Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK) Chairman and CEO Bill Ayer today announced an agreement in principle to amend their marketing agreement to make the airlines preferred alliance partners on the West Coast.

The amended agreement will offer important benefits to customers including supporting the launch of new Delta long-haul trans-Pacific and Latin American routes from the West Coast; expanded connecting opportunities to and from Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air hubs and focus cities; and enhanced worldwide frequent flier and lounge reciprocity agreements between Delta and Alaska.