InsideFlyer magazine named Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan “Program of the Year” Thursday at the 21st annual Freddie Awards, held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Based on votes cast by more than 700,000 frequent fliers, the Freddie Awards are the most prestigious consumer-generated honors in the travel industry.

This is the second consecutive year that Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan has been named “Program of the Year.” Alaska earned more first-place awards than any other U.S. airline, receiving top honors for best elite-level program, best Web site and best program communications. Alaska also won two second-place awards for best U.S. award redemption and best U.S. customer service.

“This recognition is particularly meaningful because it comes from our customers,” said Rick Rasmussen, Alaska Airlines’ director of customer loyalty and marketing programs. “We’d like to thank our Mileage Plan members, along with the Alaska and Horizon Air employees who deliver the program benefits and outstanding customer service every day.”

The Freddie Awards were introduced in 1988 by InsideFlyer magazine publisher Randy Petersen and are named after aviation pioneer Sir Freddie Laker, who founded Britain’s first all-jet carrier, Laker Airways Limited, in 1966.

“Alaska’s Mileage Plan pleases members with an excellent partner list, substantial award choices, good bonus promotions, an easy-to-use Web site and some of the best customer care representatives in the industry,” said Peterson, host of the awards.

Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan offers some of the industry’s most attractive award levels when booking online, with Super Saver Awards starting at 7,500 miles one way and 15,000 miles round trip. Additionally, recent online innovations at alaskaair.com have made it easier for customers to see all award-seat options for one-way and round-trip itineraries on Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, including Saver and Peak award seats, coach and first class seats, and award sale seats.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve more than 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Traditional Network Carriers (tie)” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 North America Airline Satisfaction Study(SM). For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines