Saturday, December 7, 2013

ANCHORAGE — Mascots and school colors from two of Alaska's most beloved and heated collegiate rivals, the Alaska Nanooks and the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves, will soon be featured on two of Alaska Airlines' Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft.
 
The colorful paint themes will be unveiled Friday night to a crowd of fans at the Sullivan Arena where Alaska and UAA will battle in the first of a four-game series to claim the Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup title.
 
"We're thrilled to show Alaska Airlines' strong support of education while growing our fleet of university paint themes with our first two schools in Alaska," said Marilyn Romano, Alaska Airlines' regional vice president – Alaska. "The UAA and UAF school colors will proudly fly between our two largest cities and from Anchorage to Kodiak."
 
Like other university-themed aircraft operated for Alaska Airlines by its sister carrier, Horizon Air, the Nanook and Seawolf planes will be painted at no cost to the university and will fly primarily between Anchorage and Fairbanks and Anchorage and Kodiak when the carrier introduces the 76-seat Q400 to the state of Alaska on March 3, 2014. The Alaska and UAA planes will be painted and unveiled in February next year.
 
"These planes are yet another example of Alaska Airlines' commitment to higher education in Alaska," said UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers. "I can't wait to see the Nanooks and Seawolves take to the skies above our great state. The planes will serve as a reminder of both the quality education and spirited athletic rivalry that embodies our universities."
 
"We are grateful to Alaska Airlines for their continued support of UAA," said UAA Chancellor Tom Case. "It is a great honor to have our university represented in this way. These planes will be a point of pride for our UAA and Alaska community."
 
The Alaska and UAA planes will be the 10th and 11th university-themed aircraft flown by Horizon Air since 2008. Other paint themes represent the universities of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, as well as Boise State, Montana State, Oregon State, San Diego State and Washington State. Alaska Airlines recently unveiled the "Spirit of Education." The specially-themed Boeing 737-900ER was dedicated to the students and staff of Raisbeck Aviation High School located in Tukwila, Wash.
 
Alaska Airlines operates more daily flights (158 a day during peak season) to more destinations (30 cities) throughout the state of Alaska and to the Lower 48. The carrier offers Alaska residents exclusive deals through its Club 49 program, which includes special perks like free checked bags, last-minute travel discounts and exclusive emails featuring weekly fare sales. Residents can learn more at the Club 49 website www.alaskaair.com/club49 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AlaskaAirClub49.