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| aoc =
| aoc =
| bases =
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| hubs = [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]<br>[[Portland International Airport]]<br>[[Los Angeles International Airport]]
| hubs = [[Seattle-Tacoma International Airport]]<br>[[Portland International Airport]]<br>
| secondary_hubs = [[Los Angeles International Airport]]
| secondary_hubs = [[Mammoth Yosemite Airport]]

| focus_cities =
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer = Mileage Plan
| frequent_flyer = Mileage Plan

Revision as of 17:21, 1 November 2009

Horizon Air
IATA ICAO Callsign
QX QXE HORIZON AIR
Founded1981
Commenced operationsSeptember 1, 1981
HubsSeattle-Tacoma International Airport
Portland International Airport
Secondary hubsLos Angeles International Airport
Frequent-flyer programMileage Plan
Fleet size55
Parent companyAlaska Air Group
HeadquartersSeaTac, Washington[1][2]
Websitehttp://www.horizonair.com/

Horizon Air Industries, Inc. (d/b/a Horizon Air)[3] is a regional airline based in SeaTac, Washington, United States.[4][5][6] It is the eighth largest regional airline in the USA, serving 52 cities in the United States and Canada.

Horizon Air is sister carrier to Alaska Airlines and both airlines are members of Alaska Air Group. It is also a substantial codeshare partner of Northwest Airlines and American Airlines.

History

1980s

A Fairchild F27 at Spokane International Airport

Horizon Air was formed in May 1981 by Milt Kuolt, and started operations on September 1, 1981 with three Fairchild F-27 aircraft.[7] Its first route was from Yakima to Seattle, and one week later, Pasco to Seattle.[8] The general offices of Horizon Air were operated out of an old house behind Sea-Tac airport. Horizon acquired Air Oregon on June 17, 1982, after both airlines were loosing hundreds of thousands of dollars monthly, in order to consolidate and reduce their operating deficit.[9] Horizon agreed to purchase Transwestern Airlines of Utah in September 1983, once again to try to reduce operating deficit of the airline.[10] A single Fokker F28 was the first jet owned by Horizon Air, purchased from a carrier in Africa, in July 1984, however their first jet was a wet leased Douglas DC-9.[11][12]

An initial public offering occurred in 1985 to secure operating capital, which after only one profitable year since founding, was needed to keep the airline afloat.[13] On September 8, 1985 Horizon signed an agreement with de Haviland to begin purchasing their first brand new aircraft, the de Haviland Dash 8.[14][15] In the summer of 1985, Horizon entered into its first codeshare agreement with United Airlines,[16] which attracted the attention of Alaska Airlines who finally purchased Horizon in 1987.[17] Late in 1985 Horizon entered into an agreement to purchase their chief competitor in Washington, Cascade Airways,[18] but by early 1986 were released from the agreement.[19]

1990s

2000s

In the spring of 2007, Horizon launched service from Los Angeles and Seattle to Santa Rosa, California to take advantage of the burgeoning wine and tourism industry. This was a significant coup for the Sonoma County region which had not had regularly scheduled air service in almost six years. The new routes proved so popular that in the fall of 2007, Horizon commenced non stop service from Portland, OR to Santa Rosa, and expanded the schedule for non stop flights between Los Angeles and Santa Rosa. It is wholly owned by the Alaska Air Group and has 4,040 employees (at March 2007).[20] Horizon Air has been featured in several films, including the 1983 motion picture WarGames.

Management

Jeff Pinneo is the chief executive officer and former head of the Regional Airline Association. He has had 30 years of aviation experience and 25 of those with the Alaska Air Group. There are several senior vice presidents each in charge of specific divisions of the airline who round out the management staff.[21]

Destinations

Main article: Horizon Air destinations

Horizon's 47 destinations are located in the U.S. states of Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Horizon also has service to Alberta and British Columbia, Canada as well as Baja California Sur, Mexico. Codesharing with Alaska Airlines, American Air Lines,[22] and Northwest Airlines allows Horizon Air customers to fly to cities not served by Horizon Air throughout the U.S. as well as the rest of the world.[23]

Fleet

A Dash 8-Q400 in standard livery landing at Vancouver International Airport

Horizon Air operates 55 narrow-body aircraft as of September 2009, with a single economy class service:[24]

Horizon Air Fleet
Aircraft Total Orders[25] Passengers
(Economy) 		Routes Notes
Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 37 11 74-76
Bombardier CRJ-700 18 0 70 To be phased out, two aircraft are leased to South African Express

The average Horizon Air fleet age is 6.1 years old as of September 2009.[26] The CRJ-700 is a 70-seat, low-wing jet, while the Dash-8 is a 74 or 76 seat, high-wing turboprop. Horizon Air recently converted its outstanding CRJ orders into Q400 orders. All Horizon Air aircraft are operated in a single class configuration. Each row has two seats on either side of the aisle. As such, there are no middle seats on Horizon, only window or aisle. Horizon Air features all leather seating.[24]

Fleet history

A CRJ-700 in Denver

Aircraft that have been in service with Horizon Air are (in alphabetical order):

Livery

At the start of the carrier, Horizon had a painted sunset with a small beach with capitalized words saying "Horizon". The current Horizon Air livery is very similar to its parent, Alaska Airlines, except for a dark red (rather than blue) cheatline, and the tail includes a stylized sun and sunset logo, rather than an Eskimo. Six special liveries are part of the Horizon fleet, four CRJ-700s and two Q400's. Some Dash 8's have names of Horizon destinations printed near the front left door.

Special liveries

A Oregon State University themed CRJ-700 in Portland

Four CRJ-700s, formerly with Frontier JetExpress, have been painted in the colors of the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, University of Washington, and Washington State University.[33] Three of the Q400s are also painted in special liveries: a 25th anniversary theme featuring bright colors and confetti painted along the entire plane, and another in a college theme: the colors of University of Washington. The University of Washington Q400 was painted to replace the now retired CRJ in the same colors.[24][34] The third Q400 was pained in the colors of Boise State University to celebrate over twenty-five years in Boise.[35]

Fleet plans

Horizon Air is phasing out their existing Q200 and CRJ-700 planes, and will only operate the Q400.[36] The Q200s have been removed from Horizon Air service and are being dry leased to CommutAir.[37] By April 2010 the CRJ-700s, including the 9 returned from Frontier JetExpress, will also be phased completely out of service.[25]

Services

Board Room

Board Room is the Alaska Air Group airport lounge, and are located in seven west coast airports including: Anchorage, Calgary, Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver. Board Room Members also have access to Continental Airlines President's Club (until October 24, 2009), Delta Air Lines Crown Room Club, and Northwest Airlines WorldClubs at airports across the country.[38] Memberships start at $30 for a single-day pass, up to $850 for a new three-year membership. MVP members receive a 50% discount, and MVP Gold members receive complimentary membership in Board Room.[39][40]

Mileage Plan

The words Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and an airplane tail with an Eskimo head

Mileage Plan is the travel rewards program of the Alaska Air Group, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. The program's airline partners also include Oneworld member airlines American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, LAN, and Qantas; SkyTeam member airlines Air France, Continental Airlines (until October 24, 2009), Delta Air Lines, and Northwest Airlines; as well as Air Pacific, Era Aviation, Frontier Alaska, Mokulele Airlines, and PenAir.[41] MVP and MVP Gold are Mileage Plan's top tiers for experienced travelers.[42]

The Mileage Plan program has no membership fee and any mileage will be valid to the last day of the 24th month following the month of the last flight or transaction date. In addition, if a Mileage Plan member does not accumulate mileage within nine months after becoming a member, or a Mileage Plan member's account remains inactive at zero mileage for a consecutive 24 month period, the Mileage Plan account will be canceled.[43]

MVP and MVP Gold

The MVP and MVP Gold program is the frequent flyer service status program and is divided into two membership levels, MVP and MVP Gold based on the member's travel in the last calendar year. Higher-tiered members are provided with increased travel benefits such as bonus mileage, priority boarding and airport lounge access.[39]

MVP

MVP level is achieved or retained when the member earns 20,000 miles on Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air, 25,000 miles on Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Air France, LAN, or Northwest Airlines, or 30 one-way segments on any combination of Mileage Plan members. Membership benefits include 50 percent bonus mileage, priority check-in at First Class counters, priority seating on board Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights, as well as a 50 percent discount on Board Room membership. Members booked in fare class Y and YAS can be upgraded to First Class at anytime, and all other rate categories with in 48 hours of flight.[39]

MVP Gold

MVP level is achieved or retained when the member earns 40,000 miles on Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air, 50,000 miles on Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Air France, LAN, or Northwest Airlines, or 60 one-way segments on any combination of Mileage Plan members. Membership benefits include 100 percent bonus mileage, priority check-in at First Class counters, priority seating on board Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights, as well as complimentary Board Room membership. Members booked in fare class Y, S, B, M, H, or Value and Full Flex fares can be upgraded to First Class at anytime, and all other rate categories with in 72 hours of flight. Companions also receive this benefit, and members are given four complimentary upgrade certificates for guests annually. A 50,000 mile bonus is awarded to MVP Gold members who travel at least 75,000 miles on Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, American Airlines, Air France, Delta Air Lines, LAN, KLM, or Northwest Airlines, or 100 total one-way segments.[39]

On board services

Since 1991, Starbucks coffee is served in-flight on all Horizon Air planes, and is brewed at the terminal and served in thermos containers on board the aircraft.[44] Horizon has set itself apart from its sister company and other airlines by offering, to passengers of age, free Northwest beer and wine.[45] Other free beverages include Jones Soda, which is sweetened with pure cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup.[46] Unlike Alaska Airlines, there are currently no plans to install in flight wireless internet on board Horizon Air planes.[47]

Incidents and accidents

Since the founding, no fatal accidents have occurred.

  • On April 15, 1988, Flight 2658, a DeHavilland Dash 8 200 crashed after attempting an emergency landing in Seattle, Washington when the number two (right side) engine lost power after take-off (due to a manufacturing defect). Loss of hydraulic pressure, due to the number two engine being shut down, caused the aircraft to roll into the B7 and B9 jetways and it was destroyed by fire. There were 4 serious injuries and no fatalities. [49][50]
  • On May 23, 1990, a Fairchild Metroliner III on a flight from Portland to Seattle had a window blow out at 14,000 feet (4,300 m) above Olympia. The flight continued as normal to Sea-Tac, and the one passenger next to the window died hours later at a local area hospital.[51]

See also

References

  • Endicott, Bill (2001). Williams, Dayna Spear (ed.). Remember the Magic… The Story of Horizon Air. Turner Publishing Company. ISBN 156311725-8.
  1. ^ "Contact Phone Numbers." Alaska Air Group. December 1, 1998. Retrieved on July 23, 2009.
  2. ^ "Overview". Horizon Air Company Facts. Alaska Air Group. 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ "IOSA Operational Safety Audit". International Air Transport Association. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
  4. ^ "Media Contacts: Alaska Airlines," Alaska Airlines
  5. ^ "TOP INDUSTRIES." City of SeaTac. Accessed July 20, 2008.
  6. ^ "City of SeaTac Zoning." City of SeaTac. Accessed August 20, 2008.
  7. ^ Endicott 2001, p. 32
  8. ^ Endicott 2001, p. 52
  9. ^ Endicott 2001, pg. 119-125
  10. ^ Associated Press (1983-09-13). "Horizon buys Utah airline". Spokane Chronicle. Google News Archives. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  11. ^ Endicott 2001, p. 141
  12. ^ a b Associated Press (1984-07-02). "Pasco to be served by jets". Spokane Chronicle. Google News Archives. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  13. ^ AP (1995-05-30). "Horizon Air says it plans to issue stock". Eugene Register-Guard. Google News Archives. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  14. ^ "Annual Report, 1985". Horizon Air. p. 1. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  15. ^ "Horizon Air orders 10 planes". Spokane Chronicle. Google News Archives. 1985-09-04. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  16. ^ Endicott 2001, p. 220
  17. ^ Endicott 2001, p. 230
  18. ^ Associated Press (1985-08-01). "Horizon buying Cascade". Spokane Chronicle. Google News Archives. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  19. ^ Bartel, Frank. "Horizon released from agreement to buy Cascade". Spokane Spokesman-Review. Google News Archives. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
  20. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-04-03. p. 91.
  21. ^ "Executive Leadership". Horizon Air Company Facts. Alaska Air Group. 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-11. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  22. ^ "Codeshare Partners". American Airlines. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  23. ^ "Horizon / Northwest Airlines will soon begin coordination of services". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 1988-12-16. pp. B6. Retrieved 2008-10-11. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ a b c "Aircraft Information". Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  25. ^ a b "Fleet". Horizon Air Company Facts. Alaska Air Group. 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  26. ^ "Airline fleet age - Horizon Air". Airfleets.net. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
  27. ^ a b "CH-Aviation Fleet Lists". Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  28. ^ Endres, Günter G. (2001). The illustrated directory of modern commercial aircraft. Osceola, WI: MBI Pub. Co. p. 299. ISBN 0-7603-1125-0. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  29. ^ Gorlick, Arthur C. (1988-04-16). "Horizon Air Began Flying in '81". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  30. ^ a b Endicott 2001, p. 94
  31. ^ Guillen, Tomas (1990-06-12). "Faa: Window Trouble On Fairchild Planes Ongoing". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  32. ^ Song, Kyung M. (1999-09-27). "An Airline Divided -- Horizon Air Is No Longer Tiny, And It's No Longer One Big, Happy Family, Either". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  33. ^ "Horizon Air to Cheer Home Teams: 4 Jets Painted to Honor Largest Public Universities in Oregon and Washington". Business Wire. 2007-12-14. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  34. ^ "Horizon Air Flying Q400 with University of Washington Colors" (Press release). Alaska Air Group. 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
  35. ^ "Horizon Air to Fly Boise State Colors, Honoring Its 25-Year Service to City". Office of Communications and Marketing. Boise State University. 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
  36. ^ "ATW Daily News". Air Transport World. 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  37. ^ "Dash 8 acquisition" (PDF) (Press release). CommutAir. 2006-09-12. Retrieved 2007-02-10.
  38. ^ "Board Room Locations & Hours". Alaska Air Group. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  39. ^ a b c d "MVP® & MVP® Gold Qualification Levels and Benefits". Alaska Air Group. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  40. ^ "Board Room Membership Fees". Alaska Air Group. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  41. ^ "Mileage Plan™ Airline Partners". Alaska Air Group. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  42. ^ "Mileage Plan Program Benefits". Alaska Air Group. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  43. ^ "Other Mileage Plan™ Information". Alaska Air Group. Retrieved 2009-09-14.
  44. ^ "Starbucks In Flight". The Seattle Times. 1990-05-17. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  45. ^ Goldsmith, Philip (2008). Northern California Wine Country (2nd ed.). Moon Handbooks. p. 402. ISBN 1-59880-078-7.
  46. ^ "Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air to Serve Jones Soda on Flights" (Press release). PR Newswire. 2008-02-12. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  47. ^ "Inflight Wi-Fi". Alaska Air Group. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  48. ^ Endicott 2001, pg. 191-194
  49. ^ "DCA88MA052". National Transportation Safety Board. 1990-04-24. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  50. ^ "18 Injured in Seattle Plane Crash". via the AP. New York Times, The. 1988-04-16. Retrieved 2008-10-11. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  51. ^ Tomas, Guillen (1990-05-23). "Passenger Nearly Sucked Out Of Horizon Airliner". Seattle Times, The. Retrieved 2008-10-11. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
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