<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA
AIRLINES INC. THIRD QUARTER 2000 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-2000
<CASH> 137,400
<SECURITIES> 245,900
<RECEIVABLES> 157,400
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 34,500
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 723,000
<PP&E> 1,982,700
<DEPRECIATION> 499,700
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,250,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 855,800
<BONDS> 406,500
0
0
<COMMON> 1
<OTHER-SE> 627,199
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,252,000
<SALES> 1,320,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,320,000
<CGS> 1,293,500
<TOTAL-COSTS> 1,293,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 25,100
<INCOME-PRETAX> 31,200
<INCOME-TAX> 16,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 15,200
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> (56,900)
<NET-INCOME> (41,700)
<EPS-BASIC> 0.00
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.00
</TABLE>