A diamond in the sky: Alaska Airlines celebrates 75 years of service above the clouds.

• Author: Grenn, Ben

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Seventy-five years ago, this country was in the depths of a devastating economic depression, the Mars candy bar and Zippo lighters were introduced, a first-class stamp cost 3 cents, gasoline was 10 cents a gallon, and the New York Yankees swept the Chicago Cubs to win the World Series.

And it was also the birth of what was later to become a household word in the airline industry. McGee Airways was born in Anchorage.

You know, McGee Airways, which began in 1932 when Linious "Mac" McGee launched a single three-seat Stinson floatplane, flying general charters and U.S. mail.

You don't remember McGee Airways? Sure you do. Only today, it's better known as Alaska Airlines.

"Growth, is probably the biggest aspect of this company that I've seen," said Bill MacKay, Alaska Airlines senior vice president-Alaska, of the company that is marking 75 years of flying service.

"When I first came onboard (more than three decades ago) we had nine aircraft in our fleet and flew to 13 cities. Now, we have 114 planes and we fly internationally. Sometimes, I am staggered by the change."

SPROUTING WINGS

Early last year, Alaska Airlines announced a plan to transition the airline to a fleet of all-Boeing 737 aircraft by the end of 2008. To that end, Alaska is accelerating the retirement of its remaining 20 MD-80 fleet and taking delivery of new Boeing 737-800 aircraft at regular intervals. The airline also anticipated taking delivery of 43 737-800s between last year and 2008. It has firm commitments for 13 aircraft and options for 47 in 2009 and beyond.

"We're the ninth largest (according to size) as far as major U.S. air carriers go," notes MacKay.

"But we have also been pioneers in many areas and are proud of our legacy.

"We are only one of two legacy airlines that have never filed for bankruptcy." (American Airlines is the other carrier.)

Alaska also has one of the youngest fleets in the industry.

PIONEERING SPIRIT

Three years ago, the airline introduced the "Airport of the Future" check-in facility in Anchorage. Based on its success, including cutting the average check-in time in half, Alaska Airlines is implementing this process at a number of airports. One will be up and running at the airlines' hub in Seattle by the end of this year.

"A reason we initiated the process in Anchorage," said MacKay, "was that it nicely coincided with the airport expansion and renovation. What a better place to test it, than at home."

Another milestone for...