<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR
GROUP INC. SECOND QUARTER 2000 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-2000
<CASH>                                          119900
<SECURITIES>                                    159700
<RECEIVABLES>                                   104800
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      59700
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                605900
<PP&E>                                         2150600
<DEPRECIATION>                                  549900
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2297700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           760700
<BONDS>                                         294000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         29200
<OTHER-SE>                                      845600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2297700
<SALES>                                        1042500
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1042500
<CGS>                                          1046000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  1046000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               15800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  (600)
<INCOME-TAX>                                     (200)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              (400)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                      (56900)
<NET-INCOME>                                   (57300)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (2.17)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.17)