Celebrate the holidays in style on board one of three Windstar Cruises’ luxury yachts exploring the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most sought- after destinations. Windstar provides the perfect winter holiday vacation in an elegant and relaxed atmosphere in the Caribbean or Costa Rica to rejoice with travel companions.

Wind Spirit’s 7-day holiday cruise features sparkling white sands, tropical fish and turquoise waters and departs from St. Thomas on December 20 visiting St. John, St. Martin, St. Barts, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda. Cruise rates begin at $2,249 per person, double occupancy.

Wind Star offers a 7-day holiday sailing in Costa Rica, an exotic destination famous for its natural beauty, lush jungles and rich variety of wildlife. The cruise departs Puerto Caldera on December 20 and visits Curu, Tortuga Island, Bahia Paraiso, Golfito, Isla de Coiba and Quepos. Cruise rates start at $2,449 per person, double occupancy.

Wind Surf’s 7-day holiday voyage departing December 21 from Bridgetown, visits the Caribbean’s sunny beaches, charming towns and natural wonders of Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, Dominica and St. Lucia. Cruise rates start at $2,149 per person, double occupancy.

Each Windstar ship is decorated with beautiful holiday decorations including trees, wreathes, garlands and lights. Guests will savor a holiday menu specially prepared by the ships’ executive chefs featuring roasted turkey and traditional accompaniments in additional to other culinary delights.

Wind Surf’s 7-day New Year’s Eve cruise departs Bridgetown on December 28 sails to Tobago, Trinidad, Grenada, Martinique and St. Vincent. Guests will be able to partake in a festive New Year’s Eve party complete with party favors, live music, official countdown by the captain and champagne toast. Cruise rates start at $2,149 per person, double occupancy.

Windstar Cruises offers exciting shore excursions in the various ports of call. Guests will be able to explore local culture and attractions in each destination. Each ship’s watersports platform will be opened in certain ports while at anchor for guests to kayak, windsurf, and waterski. Snorkeling and scuba diving excursions are also available for a fee.

Guests can also unwind on deck in chaise lounges soaking up the sun by the pool. At dusk, gorgeous sunsets emerge and evening brings skies filled with stars for gazing. Each ship’s WindSpa presents a menu of spa services designed to pamper, soothe, relax and rejuvenate guests.

A leader in defining the small ship luxury cruise experience for more than 20 years, Windstar has won the allegiance of a new generation of contemporary travelers who appreciate the line’s luxurious accommodations, alternative dining venues, diversity of shore excursions, complimentary water sports program, deluxe spa facilities, and casual elegance. The recently completed multi-million dollar Degrees of Difference enhancements on all three ships focused on structural and technical operations along with upgrades to guest areas, remodeled bathrooms in staterooms and an expanded beauty salon and spa. In order to take the ship’s comfort level to a new degree of luxury, Apple iPod Nanos and Bose SoundDock speakers, wireless Internet, flat screen televisions, luxury linens and mattresses as well as L’Occitane bathroom amenities were added in each stateroom across the fleet.

Windstar’s award-wining reputation for sophisticated, yet casual elegance has been recognized by some of the most notable names in the travel world. Celebrated Living, American Airlines’ prestigious publication for first class passengers, named Windstar Cruises “Best Small-Ship/Mid-Ship Cruise Line” on their 2008 Platinum List for the second time in a row. Readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine awarded Windstar “Most Romantic Cruise Line” and “Best Tall Ship” in the 9th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Windstar has also earned top honors in Travel + Leisure’s World’s 2008 Best Awards and was lauded among “The World’s Best Small Ships” by Conde Nast Traveler readers in 2008.

About Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises operates three sailing yachts known for their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world’s most treasured destinations. Carrying just 148 to 312 guests, the luxurious ships of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. For more information including rates and itineraries contact a professional travel agent or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245. Visit Windstar Cruises online at http://www.windstarcruises.com.

Windstar is a division of Ambassadors International Cruise Group, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ambassadors Cruise Group, LLC.

For More Information:
Vanessa Bloy
Windstar Cruises
vanessa.bloy@windstarcruises.com
206.733.2970

SOURCE Windstar Cruises / PRNewswire

In response to the unprecedented economic challenges facing the airline industry, Hawaiian Airlines has announced that it is matching certain fees that its major competitors have recently adopted.

Effective with tickets purchased on or after August 1 for travel commencing on or after October 1, 2008, Hawaiian will charge $15 for passengers’ first piece of checked luggage for flights between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii.

On interisland flights between the islands of Hawaii, the first piece of checked luggage will continue to be free.

Effective September 1, 2008, Hawaiian will begin charging a ticketing fee for bookings made over the telephone rather than online, $10 for interisland travel and $20 for all other routes. For ticketing at airport locations, the fee will be $25. No ticketing fees apply to transactions on HawaiianAirlines.com.

Hawaiian is also adjusting its frequent flyer mileage requirements (see attached chart) for award travel on or after September 1, 2008. Hawaiian last changed its minimum mileage requirements for award travel 14 years ago, when oil was less than $20 per barrel. The program will retain its innovative 3-tier combinable one-way awards structure that makes it easier for members to use their miles with 25 different award combinations for a round trip.

Mark Dunkerley, president and chief executive officer, said Hawaiian is seeking a balance between the company’s need to cover high fuel costs with its sense of obligation to provide the local community in Hawaii with sustainable frequent, reliable and affordable service.

“Our latest financial results demonstrate why Hawaiian needs to match the revenue initiatives of our competitors. Nonetheless, we are mindful of the special needs of our kama’aina travelers and so we have resisted levying the full complement of new fees on interisland travel,” Dunkerley said.

Hawaiian previously matched competitors’ introduction of a fee for the second piece of checked luggage: $17 on interisland flights and $25 on mainland flights. A fee of $25 for bags heavier than 50 pounds on all mainland and interisland flights remains in effect.

HawaiianMiles Award Changes

One-Way Combinable Awards

Interisland Transpacific
Coach Current Sep-08 Current Sep-08
SuperSaver 5,000 7,500 17,500 20,000
Saver 7,500 10,000 25,000 30,000
Anytime 10,000 15,000 35,000 40,000

First Class
Saver 10,000 15,000 30,000 40,000
Anytime 20,000 30,000 60,000 80,000

About Hawaiian Airlines

The nation’s top-ranked airline for service in the 2007 Airline Quality Ratings, Hawaiian has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past four straight years (2004-2007) and in fewest misplaced bags for the past three years (2005-2007) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Zagat have all ranked Hawaiian as the top domestic airline serving Hawaii.

Now in its 79th year of continuous service in Hawaii, Hawaiian is the state’s biggest and longest-serving airline, as well as the second largest provider of passenger air service between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii. Hawaiian offers nonstop service to Hawaii from more U.S. gateway cities (10) than any other airline, as well as service to the Philippines, Australia, American Samoa, and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides approximately 155 daily jet flights among the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: HA). Additional information is available at HawaiianAirlines.com.

SOURCE Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. / PRNewswire

American Airlines introduced Amora(TM), an enhanced food and beverage program, in select domestic Admirals Club locations this month and will roll out the new options to additional domestic locations in the coming months.

Admirals Club lounge guests can re-energize with the array of delicious offerings available throughout the day. Amora(TM) features fare ranging from seasonal salads, hot and savory soups, fresh sandwiches and wraps, small bites for a quick snack, and dessert items for purchase.

“Our members visit the Admirals Club lounge to unwind and relax while traveling,” said Nancy Knipp, President - Admirals Club at American Airlines. “Now with Amora(TM), our guests can augment their travel experience further by indulging in palate-pleasing cuisine.”

The newly-designed food and beverage program strives to meet the needs of every traveler. Whether customers have a lot of time or little time, Amora(TM) has them covered. Visitors have the option of dining in the Admirals Club lounge or taking their food to go in travel-friendly packaging. Customers with a hearty appetite can satisfy their hunger with a freshly-prepared salad, piping hot soup du jour, sandwich or wrap including, but not limited to:

— Cobb Salad — fresh greens topped with lemon grilled chicken, tomatoes, hard-boiled egg, ripe avocado, blue cheese, bacon, shredded cheese and red pepper ranch dressing

— Fiesta Mexicana — mixed greens with ripe avocado, roast turkey, red pepper, black beans, pico de gallo, cheddar jack cheese and chipotle lime ranch dressing

— Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap — grilled chicken breast tossed with crisp romaine, shredded Parmesan cheese and creamy Caesar dressing wrapped in a tomato tortilla

— The Amora(TM) Sandwich — travelers can ask their server about the regionally-inspired, seasonal sandwich special featured at their Admirals Club location

Members who want a smaller snack can enjoy small bites such as seasonal fruit and cheese, the Mediterranean sampler, smoked salmon with savories, or pre-packaged assortments of traditional snack and nut blends. Indulge a sweet tooth with Merlino-iced cookies, clever bittersweet chocolate wedges neatly packaged in a chocolate traveler tin, or other seasonal sweet treats.

Fueling up before an early morning flight? Visitors can enjoy a breakfast of seasonal fruit, bagels with cream cheese, grill-pressed to order breakfast paninis, cereal, yogurt parfaits, or fresh baked goods such as low-fat muffins or sweet pastries.

In addition to satisfying the taste buds, visitors to the Admirals Club lounge can quench their thirst with a choice of refreshing new beverages, including Odwalla Juice, energy drinks, Cosmopolitans, Tequila Sunrises or Long Beach Iced Teas, along with a variety of wine and beer.

American Airlines has joined with Sodexo, a world leader in food and facilities management, to bring the Amora(TM) menu to Admirals Club lounges in Austin, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Los Angeles this month. Availability will increase in the coming months as American introduces the program at the remaining domestic lounges in Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Kansas City, Miami, Nashville, Newark, New York Kennedy, New York LaGuardia, Orange County, Philadelphia, Raleigh/Durham, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose Calif., San Juan, St. Louis, Washington Dulles, and Washington Reagan.

Complimentary light snacks, coffee, tea and soft drinks continue to be offered throughout the day. Amenities vary by location, and include conference rooms, music rooms, shower facilities, Lenovo personal computers with complimentary high-speed Internet access, and children’s rooms. To learn more, visit American’s Admirals Club website at http://www.aa.com/admiralsclub.

About American Airlines

American Airlines is the world’s largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection(R) airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American’s award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld(R) Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, the AmericanConnection(R) airlines, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

AmericanAirlines(R) We know why you fly(R) Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet. The address is http://www.aa.com

SOURCE American Airlines

For many, the Caribbean evokes visions of sunbathing, shopping and sightseeing. Those looking for a more experiential Caribbean vacation, however, need look no further than an MSC Cruises sailing.

MSC Cruises offers guests the opportunity for some exciting — even adventurous — experiences on its 2008-09 Caribbean itineraries. Several shore excursion options enable guests to explore the Caribbean over land (by motorcycle, bicycle, ATV or horseback), under the sea (snorkeling, SCUBA diving and glass-bottomed kayak) and through the air (attached to a cable between 100-foot-high trees). There is also the chance for unique ecological experiences and, of course, plenty of fun and sun.

MSC Orchestra’s 7-night Western Caribbean roundtrip sailings from Fort Lauderdale (Jan. 24, Feb. 21, March 7 and March 21) call at Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic (the line’s private island paradise). Among the shore excursion options are:

Cozumel

— Gliding over the coral reef in a clear kayak

— Jeep tours — explore the exotic terrain in a Jeep caravan

— Dune buggy tours — drive your dune buggy along coastal roads and through tropical jungles

— Snorkeling — ideal for beginners

— XCaret Natural Adventure Park — the largest “eco” park in Latin America, with bird sanctuary, restored Mayan ruins, botanical gardens and an underground river for swimming

— Swim with the dolphins — swim with bottlenose dolphins in natural ocean coves

Grand Cayman

— Stingray City — feed, interact and play with Southern Stingrays

— Certified 2-tank Boat Dive — certified divers can explore reefs and wrecks

— Introductory SCUBA lesson — after training in a pool, participants go on a shallow reef dive

Cruise-only rates begin at $539 per person, double occupancy.

On MSC Orchestra’s April 18 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing (calling at Cayo Levantado; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John’s, Antigua; and Nassau, Bahamas), shore excursions include:

St. Maarten

— Horseback riding on the beach

— ATV experience — explore the island on the way to a beautiful beach

— Land & Sea — travel by both catamaran and Swiss Army Jeep

— Harley Davidson experience — guests with motorcycle licenses can select from legendary “Fat Boy” and classic “Heritage” motorcycles and embark on a tour of the island

— America’s Cup 12 Meter Regatta — guests compete in a thrilling race around an America’s Cup-like course, with each guest having a role in helping to sail the yacht.

Cruise-only rates begin at $519 per person, double occupancy.

10-Night Caribbean Experiences

MSC Lirica’s 10-night Deep Caribbean cruises (departing Fort Lauderdale Jan. 23, Feb. 12, March 4 and 24, April 13 and calling at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Phillipsburg; Port Castries, St. Lucia; St. John’s; Tortola, BVI; and Cayo Levantado) offer a variety of shore excursion experiences as well. While in Antigua, for example, guests can go horseback riding on the beach or take a catamaran to Paradise Reef for some snorkeling or bottom fishing.

Cruise-only rates begin at $799 per person, double occupancy.

The ship’s Caribbean Featuring Panama 10-night sailings (departing Fort Lauderdale Feb. 2 and 22, March 14 and April 3) call at Costa Maya, Mexico; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Cristobal, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; and Cayo Levantado.

Among the many shore excursions available on this itinerary are a dolphin swim program in Costa Maya and a Mangroves Ecological Tour via canoe in Cartagena. In Puerto Limon, guests can opt to explore the rainforest by bicycle or wagon — or even by “flying” through the forest canopy (safely secured by cables).

Cruise-only rates begin at $849 per person, double occupancy.

Whether you want adventure, exploration, history, shopping, architecture, relaxation or just some plain old fun in the sun, MSC
Cruises’ Caribbean itineraries offer something for everyone.

With the line’s “Kids Sail Free” offer (ages 17 and under sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults), the entire family can enjoy a Caribbean getaway.

All prices quoted are cruise-only; government fees and taxes are additional, as is a fuel surcharge for the first two people occupying a stateroom. Some restrictions may apply on shore excursions. For more information, contact a local travel professional.

SOURCE MSC Cruises / PRNewswire

Passengers on Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air can now receive up-to-the-minute flight information via e-mail or text message for their entire flight itinerary, including segments on other airlines. The new Trip Alert System is the first airline notification solution to be powered by the FlightStats(TM) Itinerary Monitoring platform and lets customers set up a single profile
once for all future travel.

Customers who have booked a trip at alaskaair.com or with an Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air reservations call center or ticket counter since June 25, 2008, receive an e-mail inviting them to create a profile. The profile specifies the traveler’s preferences for receiving e-mail alerts to a desktop PC, PDA or mobile phone.

Once a customer registers, the system automatically monitors all future trips and sends scheduled pre-trip updates as well as real-time alerts regarding delays, gate changes and cancellations. The system also sends useful connection messages advising the customer of the status and gate of arriving and departing flights so they know their actual connection time.

“Thanks to FlightStats’ sophisticated solution, we are now able to put proactive and relevant flight-status information directly into our customers’ hands as they get close to departure,” said Steve Jarvis, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of marketing, sales and customer experience. “By providing detailed information on a passenger’s entire trip — even when one of their segments is on a different airline — we’re enhancing customer convenience and the overall travel experience.”

The first phase of Alaska Airlines’ Trip Alerts System is available now for direct bookings. It currently excludes bookings through travel agencies and other airlines, as well as direct bookings on Alaska Airlines Vacations, EasyBiz and group travel. Alaska Airlines is planning future enhancements to provide this greater functionality for customers.

“With their new messaging solution, Alaska continues to expand customer service features that make travel easier,” said Conducive Technology CEO Jeff Kennedy. “Alaska has always done a great job with customer service, but now with the industry’s best mobile-alerts solution, Alaska Airlines just keeps getting better.”

FlightStats is an airline, airport and travel information service provided by Conducive Technology Corp. The company is also a leading supplier of air travel information services to travel agencies, logistics professionals, airlines, airports and industry analysts. More information is available on Conducive Technology’s Web site at http://www.flightstats.com.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier Horizon Air together serve 95 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines / PRNewswire

Clear,(R) the fast pass for airport security, will celebrate today its three-year anniversary in Orlando, the site of its first lane launch.

Since the program’s start in 2005, Clear has delivered a seamless, hassle-free airport experience more than 750,000 times in Orlando alone, its busiest location (over 1.3 million times nationwide). In just the last six months alone, Clear lanes have seen nearly a 300% increase in monthly usage. Clear now has more than 190,000 sign-ups nationwide — more than 40,000 of them in Orlando. And, the service has a 90% membership retention rate. An additional benefit to members: children under the age of 12 who are accompanied by an adult member can access its lanes for free.

As the program’s three year mark is reached, Clear cards are accepted at 18 airports with additional locations, including Atlanta’s
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, expected to launch this summer. This week, Clear opened its signature fast pass lanes in Delta’s Terminal D at LaGuardia (LGA) and Terminal Two at JFK International Airports, extending roundtrip Clear service between the Orlando and New York Airports. Clear lanes will continue expanding across the country this summer and throughout the fall at major airports.

Clear’s recently-established marketing partnerships include Delta Air Lines and Marriott Hotels, and in 2008 alone Clear has performed more than 75 on-site, bulk enrollments at company office buildings including corporations, law firms and government offices. This on-site service offers enrollment for Clear right in the workplace, making applying for the card easy and convenient. Clear also offers, through its partnership with Delta, enrollment at select Crown Rooms in Delta Terminals.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said, “We are proud that Orlando International Airport was the first airport in the nation to offer the Clear card program and continue to support the innovative efforts of Clear. The Clear card makes traveling a little easier with access to designated security lanes nationwide. When I travel, I use the Clear card to ensure I pass through security checkpoints faster and with more predictability.”

“We need to provide maximum safety for air travelers, while at the same time finding practical ways to reduce the strain on passengers from security checks,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, a sponsor of legislation that has expanded the Registered Traveler program first used at Orlando International Airport.

“We’re proud to celebrate the third anniversary of our very first, and still the largest, Clear market — Orlando,” said Clear founder and CEO Steven Brill. “We especially thank our members who joined three years ago, even as we welcome 500-1,000 new members, every day. In just the last year alone, we’ve added more than 100,000 travelers.”

Henry Morgan, Clear’s very first customer on the day the program launched in 2005, who is a regional manager for Massachusetts’ Highline Products said, “Often when I breeze through security with Clear’s help in 5 minutes or less, I see the regular lanes backed up for an hour and a half to two hours. I am so glad that Clear chose Orlando to launch this valuable service for us road warriors. I was the first one to go through back in 2005 and have been very happy to renew my membership every year since then. Thank you, Clear, and its wonderful attendants at the lanes. You greet us so warmly, speed us through, and put us in a better mood to face the rest of the challenges of today’s air travel! Congratulations on your rapid expansion to other airports, where I can also enjoy the benefits.”

Clear member Ann Linn, senior consultant for CLG, a Pittsburgh-based strategy execution firm said, “I fly out of the Orlando Airport every Monday morning and before Clear opened this was a major hassle with the security lines often backed up halfway to the other side of the airport. I had to allow at least an extra hour to ensure I didn’t miss my flight. Now I zip through the Clear lane in just a few minutes and my week is off to an easy start. I have also had a very pleasant experience dealing with Clear support — always a quick connection to a real person who truly understands customer service. For all of these reasons, I have recommended Clear to my frequent-traveler colleagues and, personally, I now look forward to using the Clear lanes at other airports as they become available. Thank you for providing this valuable time-saving service!”

Steve Kahn, CEO of Lake Mary’s Physician’s Marketing & Management, and Clear member since 2005, said, “Clear makes travel the way it should be — whether it is for business or pleasure — it’s less stressful, fast, easy, friendly and fun.”

Clear member Ed Jordan, VP for Sales and Marketing at TBB Global Logistics, a supply chain strategy company said, “I have used the services of Clear since their arrival at Orlando International Airport. As a frequent business traveler (75+ round trips per year), I must be able to move through the airport as quickly as possible in order to meet a very demanding schedule. Prior to Clear, it was a challenge every Monday morning just getting through security. Since I became a Clear member, that is the one part of my weekly trip that I no longer have concerns about. And, your customer service people are the best. THANK YOU CLEAR!”

“We could not have gotten to this important milestone today without the vision and leadership of those at the Orlando International Airport who not only worked to pilot this program, but helped to showcase it for other airports that wanted to bring the program to their communities,” Brill continued. “We also want to thank the Transportation Security Administration for their dedicated service in bringing this innovative public/private partnership to the flying public. And, finally, we are grateful to our partners and key technology providers - Lockheed Martin, GE, L-1, Daon, and many others for all of their great work,” he added.

“Embracing and evaluating new forms of technology to enhance the overall travel experience has been a core value at Orlando International Airport. We are pleased that our early and continued support of the registered traveler program has resulted in improved customer service for over 40 thousand travelers at our airport alone,” said Steve Gardner, Executive Director for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Clear members are pre-screened by the Transportation Security Administration and after application approval, which involves providing iris and fingerprint images, receive a card that allows access to Clear’s security lanes nationwide. Clear lanes, which feature concierges whose assistance speeds throughput while making the experience far more pleasant, operate in airports in Cincinnati, Denver, Indianapolis, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC’s Reagan National and Dulles airports, among
others. The annual fee is $100 plus a $28 TSA fee.

Applicants start the membership enrollment process at http://www.flyclear.com and complete it in person at a Clear enrollment center, where they have their fingerprints and iris images captured. To locate a Clear enrollment station nationwide, customers can visit flyclear.com/enrollment.

About Clear

Clear, operated by Verified Identity Pass, Inc., has signed up more than 190,000 travelers nationwide. Clear cards are accepted at 18 U.S. airports: Albany, Cincinnati, Denver, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, LaGuardia (Terminal D and Central Terminal B Checkpoints), Little Rock, New York JFK (Terminals 1, 2, 4 and 7), Newark (Terminal B2), Oakland, Orlando, Reno, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Jose, Washington, DC’s Reagan and Dulles, and Westchester. Clear members are pre-screened and provided with a high-tech card which allows them to access designated security lanes nationwide. Clear members pass through the security checkpoint faster, with more predictability and less hassle. The annual fee of $100 (plus a $28 TSA vetting fee) is charged once applicants are approved by the government. Applicants start their enrollment at flyclear.com and complete the process at an enrollment location where their fingerprints and iris images are captured and their identification is validated. Clear’s registered traveler program has been operational since July 19, 2005. For more information, please visit: http://www.flyclear.com.

SOURCE Clear / PRNewswire

Alaska Airlines today will inaugurate daily, year-round service between Seattle and Kahului, Hawaii, on the island of Maui. Flights from Seattle will depart daily at 8:20 a.m. Pacific time and arrive at 11:35 a.m. Hawaii time. Return flights will depart at 1:05 p.m. Hawaii time and arrive at 9:45 p.m. Pacific time.

“Our customers have welcomed our new Hawaii service with open arms,” said Gregg Saretsky, Alaska Airlines’ executive vice president of flight and marketing. “In addition to Kauai and Honolulu, which we began serving last winter, customers now can enjoy Alaska’s unique brand of service and earn Mileage Plan miles to the beautiful island of Maui.”

In addition, the airline will begin thrice-weekly service between Anchorage, Alaska, and Maui starting Oct. 31 through April 25, 2009, and year- round service between Seattle and Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii, beginning Nov. 17.

The new flights will provide convenient connections to travelers in other cities served by Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air throughout the Pacific Northwest and state of Alaska.

The new flights are operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, accommodating 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin. All flights to Hawaii offer Hawaiian-themed beverage and meal service. Customers in the main cabin are offered complimentary Mauna Loa macadamia nuts and a complimentary Mai Tai or POG juice, as well as a Hawaiian-themed meal-for-purchase option for $5. Customers in first class enjoy exotic meals such as macadamia nut-encrusted mahi mahi.

Inflight service includes Alaska Airlines’ digEplayer, a personal entertainment system offering a variety of movies, television shows, music and other features. The systems include a channel devoted to Hawaii programming, including extreme surfing programs and the television show “Hawaii Five-O.”

Alaska Airlines Vacations offers a full line of vacation packages for travel to the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii. Packages include air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transportation and tours.

Alaska Airlines and sister carrier Horizon Air together serve 95 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines / PRNewswire