<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM ALASKA
AIRLINES INC. SECOND QUARTER 2000 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-START> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-2000
<CASH> 119,800
<SECURITIES> 159,700
<RECEIVABLES> 164,700
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 92,200
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 631,100
<PP&E> 1,903,400
<DEPRECIATION> 479,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,099,900
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 842,800
<BONDS> 294,000
0
0
<COMMON> 1
<OTHER-SE> 609,799
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,099,900
<SALES> 835,700
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 835,700
<CGS> 842,500
<TOTAL-COSTS> 842,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 15,800
<INCOME-PRETAX> (3,800)
<INCOME-TAX> (1,600)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (2,200)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> (56,900)
<NET-INCOME> (59,100)
<EPS-BASIC> 0.00
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.00
</TABLE>