<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA AIR
GROUP, INC. SECOND QUARTER 1999 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          67,800
<SECURITIES>                                   253,500
<RECEIVABLES>                                   99,800
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     50,100
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               575,600
<PP&E>                                       1,699,100
<DEPRECIATION>                                 480,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,928,700
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          625,900
<BONDS>                                        160,300
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        29,100
<OTHER-SE>                                     828,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,928,700
<SALES>                                        990,900
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               990,900
<CGS>                                          897,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  897,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               7,500
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                103,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                    41,200
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             62,300
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    62,300
<EPS-BASIC>                                      02.36
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    02.35