<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR
GROUP, INC. FIRST QUARTER 1999 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-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                                          61,100
<SECURITIES>                                   228,300
<RECEIVABLES>                                   90,800
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     45,600
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               541,900
<PP&E>                                       1,592,800
<DEPRECIATION>                                 462,500
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,808,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          567,600
<BONDS>                                        165,000
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        29,100
<OTHER-SE>                                     785,700
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,808,700
<SALES>                                        461,200
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               461,200
<CGS>                                          432,600
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  432,600
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,800
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 33,400
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             20,200
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    20,200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .77
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .76