INNOVATION... a key component to Alaska's strategy for success

Alaska Airlines’ unparalleled commitment to their customers and shareholders has resulted in a long list of aviation milestones, helping them grow to one of the most respected airlines in the nation. There are many company strategies that are critical to delivering on this commitment and innovation continues to be a key component.

Continuing with the spirit of leveraging innovation to achieve strategic initiatives, Alaska Airlines was the first airline in North America to sell tickets online, first in the world to allow customers to check-in and print boarding passes via the Internet, and most recently launched the industry’s first Virtual Expert, Jenn.

In 2008, Alaska Airlines’ strategic focus and use of innovation resulted in a number of notable achievements. Next IT is pleased to recognize Alaska’s advancements and, as a valued partner, we are happy that Ask Jenn has had a material impact towards contributing to Alaska’s business success including:

	Stock price outperformed their US Domestic Airline peer group by 191%*.
	Winner of numerous customer service awards including, J.D. Power and Associates and The Freddie Awards.
	Recipient of 2008 InfoWorld Top 100 Award which honors companies for IT projects that exemplify intelligent, creative uses of technology to meet business and technical objectives.
	Increased brand awareness and received the advertising equivalent of $1 Million in press coverage with 9 Million people reading about Ask Jenn and Alaska Airlines in publications such as The New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, etc.
	*Stock performance from February 7, 2008 (launch date of Jenn) through February 25, 2009 as compared against American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Frontier, Jet Blue, Southwest, United, and US Airways.

We would like to congratulate Alaska Airlines on these outstanding achievements in 2008 and thank them for allowing Ask Jenn to be an integral component of their business strategy.