<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR
GROUP, INC. FIRST QUARTER 2000 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-2000
<CASH>                                         125,600
<SECURITIES>                                   147,400
<RECEIVABLES>                                   99,400
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     57,700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               166,900
<PP&E>                                       2,076,100
<DEPRECIATION>                                 540,100
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,223,600
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          727,000
<BONDS>                                        300,100
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        29,200
<OTHER-SE>                                     895,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,223,600
<SALES>                                        492,500
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               492,500
<CGS>                                          506,300
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  506,300
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (12,600)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (5,100)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (7,500)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (7,500)
<EPS-BASIC>                                      (.28)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.28)