ALASKA AIR GROUP INC
424B5, 1995-06-22
AIR TRANSPORTATION, SCHEDULED
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<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
- ----------------------------
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED MARCH 23, 1994)
   
                                  $115,000,000
    
   
                                     [LOGO]

                 6 1/2% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR DEBENTURES DUE 2005
    
                                 --------------

   
    The  6 1/2%  Convertible Senior  Debentures due  2005 (the  "Debentures") of
Alaska Air Group,  Inc. ("Air Group"  or the "Company")  are convertible at  any
time on or prior to maturity, unless previously redeemed or otherwise purchased,
into  shares of the Company's  Common Stock at a  conversion price of $21.50 per
share (equivalent to  a conversion rate  of 46.512 shares  per $1,000  principal
amount  of  Debentures), subject  to certain  adjustments.  The Common  Stock is
listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ALK". On June 21,  1995,
the last reported sales price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange
was $17 5/8 per share.
    

   
    Interest  on the Debentures  is payable on  June 15 and  December 15 of each
year, commencing December  15, 1995. The  Debentures will be  redeemable at  the
Company's option, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 15, 1998, at
the  redemption prices set forth herein. In the event of a Change in Control (as
hereinafter defined), each holder of the  Debentures may require the Company  to
repurchase all or a portion of such holder's Debentures at 100% of the principal
amount  thereof,  plus accrued  and  unpaid interest,  if  any, to  the  date of
repurchase. See "Description of the Debentures."
    

    The Debentures will constitute senior  unsecured obligations of the  Company
and  will rank  PARI PASSU  in right  of payment  to the  Company's other senior
unsecured  indebtedness.   See   "Capitalization"  and   "Description   of   the
Debentures."  The Company is a holding  company and, accordingly, the Debentures
will be effectively subordinated to all  existing and future liabilities of  the
Company's operating subsidiaries.
                              -------------------

THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE  NOT  BEEN APPROVED  OR  DISAPPROVED  BY  THE SECURITIES
  AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION,  NOR  HAS
    THE   SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION   OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES
      COMMISSION  PASSED   UPON  THE   ACCURACY   OR  ADEQUACY   OF   THIS
       PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT  OR  THE PROSPECTUS  TO  WHICH  IT RELATES.
          ANY REPRESENTATION TO  THE CONTRARY IS  A CRIMINAL  OFFENSE.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  PRICE TO         UNDERWRITING        PROCEEDS TO
                                                 PUBLIC (1)        DISCOUNT (2)      COMPANY (1)(3)
<S>                                           <C>                <C>                <C>
Per Debenture...............................        100%               2.5%               97.5%
Total (4)...................................    $115,000,000        $2,875,000        $112,125,000
<FN>
(1)  Plus accrued interest, if any, from date of issuance.
(2)  The  Company  has  agreed  to indemnify  the  several  Underwriters against
     certain liabilities  under the  Securities  Act of  1933, as  amended.  See
     "Underwriting."
(3)  Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $200,000.
(4)  The  Company has  granted the  several Underwriters  an option, exercisable
     within 30 days after the date of this Prospectus Supplement, to purchase up
     to an additional  $17,250,000 aggregate principal  amount of Debentures  on
     the  terms set forth above to cover over-allotments, if any. If such option
     is exercised in full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discount  and
     Proceeds  to  Company will  be  $132,250,000, $3,306,250  and $128,943,750,
     respectively. See "Underwriting."
</TABLE>
    

                              -------------------

   
    The Debentures are  offered by  the several Underwriters,  subject to  prior
sale,  when, as and  if issued to and  accepted by them,  subject to approval of
certain legal  matters  by  counsel  for  the  Underwriters  and  certain  other
conditions.  The Underwriters  reserve the right  to withdraw,  cancel or modify
such offer  and to  reject orders  in  whole or  in part.  It is  expected  that
delivery  of the Debentures will be made in  New York, New York on or about June
27, 1995.
    

                              -------------------

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.                                         GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
                                  ------------

   
            The date of this Prospectus Supplement is June 21, 1995.
    
<PAGE>
         [MAP INDICATING ALASKA AIRLINES AND HORIZON AIR ROUTES]

    IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR  EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS  WHICH STABILIZE  OR MAINTAIN  THE MARKET  PRICE OF  THE DEBENTURES
OFFERED HEREBY AND  OF THE  OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK  OF THE  COMPANY AT  LEVELS
ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET.  SUCH TRANSACTIONS
MAY  BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK  STOCK EXCHANGE OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING,
IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

                                      S-2
<PAGE>
                         PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

    THE  FOLLOWING  SUMMARY  IS  QUALIFIED  IN  ITS  ENTIRETY  BY  THE  DETAILED
INFORMATION AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS INCLUDED ELSEWHERE HEREIN  OR
INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE INTO THIS  PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT  SHOULD BE READ  IN CONJUNCTION WITH  THE
ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS DATED MARCH 23, 1994.

                                  THE COMPANY

    Air  Group  is  a holding  company  incorporated  in Delaware  in  1985. Its
principal subsidiaries are Alaska Airlines, Inc. ("Alaska Airlines") and Horizon
Air Industries, Inc.  ("Horizon"). Alaska  Airlines, founded  in 1932,  provides
scheduled air transportation to 37 cities in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Nevada,
California  and Arizona, three cities in Mexico, three cities in the Russian Far
East and many smaller communities in Alaska and California through  code-sharing
agreements  with  local  carriers.  As of  December  31,  1994,  Alaska Airlines
operated 23 owned and 49 leased jet  aircraft with an average age of six  years.
Horizon,  a regional  commuter carrier founded  in 1981,  provides scheduled air
transportation  to  36  cities  in   Washington,  Oregon,  Montana,  Idaho   and
California,  as well as  two cities in  Canada. Horizon provides interconnecting
passenger traffic  to Alaska  Airlines through  its major  hub cities,  Seattle,
Portland  and Spokane. As of December 31,  1994, Horizon operated five owned and
60 leased aircraft with an average age of nine years.

    For the year  ended December  31, 1994, Air  Group's consolidated  operating
revenues were $1.3 billion, of which 89% came from scheduled passenger services,
7%  came from freight and mail, and 4% came from mileage plan partners and other
nonpassenger  sources.  Alaska  Airlines   carried  approximately  9.0   million
passengers   in  1994  and  accounted  for  approximately  81%  of  Air  Group's
consolidated 1994 operating revenues. Horizon carried approximately 3.5  million
passengers  in  1994  and  accounted  for  the  remaining  19%  of  Air  Group's
consolidated 1994 operating revenues.

    The Company's strategy is  to define strategic markets  and then to  achieve
strong  market positions by offering high-quality service at competitive prices.
The combined  route system  of Alaska  Airlines and  Horizon, when  viewed as  a
whole,  blends  aspects  of  both  the  hub-and-spoke  and  linear  route system
concepts, resulting in an integrated  system that provides passengers with  more
frequent flights than the Company's competitors in a substantial majority of the
150 nonstop city pairs that the Company serves. Both Alaska Airlines and Horizon
seek  to differentiate  themselves from  their competitors  by offering superior
levels of value and service. Alaska Airlines' service has been recognized with a
number of awards, including Airline of the Year awards from CONDE NAST  TRAVELER
magazine  in five of the last six  years and high rankings in consumer magazines
and customer surveys by  J.D. Power & Associates  and the Zagat's United  States
Travel Survey.

                                  THE OFFERING

   
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Issue.............................  $115,000,000  principal  amount  of  6  1/2% Convertible
                                    Senior Debentures due 2005.

Interest..........................  Each Debenture will bear  interest at a  rate of 6  1/2%
                                    per annum. Interest will be paid semiannually on June 15
                                    and  December 15  of each year,  commencing December 15,
                                    1995. See  "Description of  the Debentures--General"  in
                                    this Prospectus Supplement.

Conversion Rights.................  Each  Debenture  will  be convertible,  at  the holder's
                                    option, at  any time  on or  prior to  maturity,  unless
                                    previously  redeemed or otherwise purchased, into Common
                                    Stock  at  a  conversion  price  of  $21.50  per   share
                                    (equivalent  to a  conversion rate of  46.512 shares per
                                    $1,000  principal  amount  of  Debentures),  subject  to
                                    certain    adjustments.   See    "Description   of   the
                                    Debentures--Conversion" in this Prospectus Supplement.
</TABLE>
    

                                      S-3
<PAGE>

   
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Optional Redemption...............  The Debentures will be redeemable, in whole or in  part,
                                    at the Company's option at any time on or after June 15,
                                    1998,  initially at 104.333%  of their principal amount,
                                    plus  accrued  interest,  declining  to  100%  of  their
                                    principal  amount,  plus accrued  interest, on  or after
                                    June 15, 2004. See "Description of the
                                    Debentures--Redemption" in this Prospectus Supplement.

Purchase of Debentures
Upon a Change in Control..........  At the holder's  option, the Company  will purchase  for
                                    cash  any Debenture,  as of  35 business  days after the
                                    occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company, for  a
                                    Change  in Control Purchase  Price equal to  100% of the
                                    principal  amount  thereof,  plus  accrued  and   unpaid
                                    interest,  if  any, to  the  Change in  Control Purchase
                                    Date. The  Change in  Control  purchase feature  of  the
                                    Debentures   may  in   certain  circumstances   have  an
                                    antitakeover   effect.   See    "Description   of    the
                                    Debentures--Purchase   of  Debentures   Upon  Change  in
                                    Control" in this Prospectus Supplement for a summary  of
                                    these  provisions  and  the  definitions  of  the  above
                                    defined terms.

Ranking...........................  The  Debentures   will   constitute   senior   unsecured
                                    obligations  of Air  Group and  will rank  PARI PASSU in
                                    right of payment to  Air Group's other senior  unsecured
                                    indebtedness. See "Description of the
                                    Debentures--Ranking"  in this Prospectus Supplement. Air
                                    Group  is  a  holding  company  and,  accordingly,   the
                                    Debentures  will  be  effectively  subordinated  to  all
                                    existing and future liabilities of Air Group's operating
                                    subsidiaries, including Alaska Airlines and Horizon.

Use of Proceeds...................  The net proceeds to the Company from this offering  will
                                    be  added  to  working  capital  and  used  for  general
                                    corporate  purposes,   including   the   redemption   or
                                    repurchase  of  the  Company's outstanding  7  1/4% zero
                                    coupon convertible subordinated notes due 2006.  Pending
                                    such  uses, the  net proceeds  of this  offering will be
                                    invested in short-term, interest-bearing securities. See
                                    "Use of Proceeds" in this Prospectus Supplement.
</TABLE>
    

                                      S-4
<PAGE>
                      SUMMARY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

   
    The following table summarizes selected financial and operating  information
for  Air Group and its principal  subsidiaries, Alaska Airlines and Horizon. The
consolidated financial data for each of the five years ended December 31,  1994,
set forth below, have been taken from the financial data included in Air Group's
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus  Supplement  and the  related  Registration Statement.  The financial
statements for the  five years  ended December 31,  1994 have  been examined  by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants. This summary should be read
in  conjunction with the financial statements,  including the notes thereto, and
other information  contained in  the documents  incorporated by  reference.  The
selected  financial information for the three-month periods ended March 31, 1995
and 1994 is unaudited  but includes all adjustments  (consisting only of  normal
recurring  adjustments) that are necessary, in  the opinion of management, for a
fair presentation  of  results  of  operations for  such  periods.  The  airline
business  is seasonal in nature  and the operating results  for the three months
ended March 31, 1995  are not necessarily indicative  of results to be  expected
for the full year.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                          ---------------------------------
                                               1995              1994
                                          ---------------   ---------------
                                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                       <C>               <C>
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA:
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating revenues......................  $  294,573        $  280,382
Operating expenses......................     312,874           283,310
Operating income (loss).................     (18,301)           (2,928)
Net income (loss).......................  $  (16,340)       $   (6,313)
Average primary shares outstanding
 (000)..................................      13,400            13,349
Primary earnings (loss) per share (a)...  $    (1.22)       $    (0.47)
Fully diluted earnings per share........         (b)               (b)
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Total assets............................  $1,287,833        $1,191,587
Long-term debt and capital lease
 obligations............................     579,236           593,405
Redeemable preferred stock..............          --                --
Shareholders' equity....................     175,313           160,919

ALASKA AIRLINES OPERATING DATA (C):
Revenue passenger miles (000,000).......       1,793             1,536
Available seat miles (000,000)..........       3,182             2,553
Revenue passenger load factor...........        56.4%             60.2%
Yield per passenger mile................        11.2 CENTS        12.8 CENTS
Operating expenses per available seat
 mile...................................         7.8 CENTS         8.9 CENTS

HORIZON AIR OPERATING DATA (C):
Revenue passenger miles (000,000).......         186               143
Available seat miles (000,000)..........         323               241
Revenue passenger load factor...........        57.7%             59.4%
Yield per passenger mile................        31.9 CENTS        35.7 CENTS
Operating expenses per available seat
 mile...................................        20.6 CENTS        22.9 CENTS

<CAPTION>

                                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                             1994              1993              1992              1991              1990

                                        ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ---------------

<S>                                       <C>             <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA:
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating revenues......................$1,315,620        $1,128,329        $1,115,378        $1,104,031        $1,046,965

Operating expenses...................... 1,240,622         1,145,102         1,210,219         1,069,405         1,018,546

Operating income (loss).................    74,998           (16,773)          (94,841)           34,626            28,419

Net income (loss).......................$   22,531        $  (30,918)       $  (84,837)       $   10,338        $   17,167

Average primary shares outstanding
 (000)..................................    13,378            13,340            13,309            13,413            13,675

Primary earnings (loss) per share (a)...$     1.68        $    (2.51)       $    (6.87)       $     0.27        $     0.82

Fully diluted earnings per share........      1.62               (b)               (b)               (b)               (b)

BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
Total assets............................$1,315,771        $1,134,954        $1,208,358        $1,225,455        $1,021,404

Long-term debt and capital lease
 obligations............................   589,904           525,418           487,847           499,971           281,759

Redeemable preferred stock..............        --                --            61,235            60,947            60,665

Shareholders' equity....................   191,278           166,833           196,724           284,447           279,833

ALASKA AIRLINES OPERATING DATA (C):
Revenue passenger miles (000,000).......     7,587             5,514             5,537             4,948             4,494

Available seat miles (000,000)..........    12,082             9,426             9,617             8,789             8,380

Revenue passenger load factor...........      62.8%             58.5%             57.6%             56.3%             53.6%

Yield per passenger mile................      12.2 CENTS        14.3 CENTS        14.5 CENTS        16.7 CENTS        17.8 CENTS

Operating expenses per available seat
 mile...................................       8.3 CENTS         9.9 CENTS        10.5 CENTS        10.2 CENTS        10.3 CENTS

HORIZON AIR OPERATING DATA (C):
Revenue passenger miles (000,000).......       733               560               486               405               357

Available seat miles (000,000)..........     1,165               986               905               786               720

Revenue passenger load factor...........      62.9%             56.8%             53.7%             51.5%             49.6%

Yield per passenger mile................      33.3 CENTS        37.9 CENTS        40.7 CENTS        42.9 CENTS        43.4 CENTS

Operating expenses per available seat
 mile...................................      21.0 CENTS        21.8 CENTS        22.2 CENTS        22.3 CENTS        21.9 CENTS

<FN>
- ------------------------------
(a)   For  1992, primary earnings per share includes $(.34) for the $4.6 million
      cumulative effect of the postretirement  benefits accounting change as  of
      January 1, 1992.
(b)   Antidilutive.
(c)   See  "Selected Financial and Operating Data" in this Prospectus Supplement
      for definition of terms.
</TABLE>
    

                                      S-5
<PAGE>
                                  THE COMPANY

    Air  Group  is  a holding  company  incorporated  in Delaware  in  1985. Its
principal subsidiaries are Alaska Airlines and Horizon. Alaska Airlines, founded
in  1932,  provides  scheduled  air  transportation  to  37  cities  in  Alaska,
Washington,  Oregon,  Nevada, California  and Arizona,  three cities  in Mexico,
three cities in the Russian Far East and many smaller communities in Alaska  and
California  through code-sharing agreements with  local carriers. As of December
31, 1994, Alaska Airlines operated 23 owned  and 49 leased jet aircraft with  an
average  age of six years. Horizon, a regional commuter carrier founded in 1981,
provides scheduled  air  transportation  to 36  cities  in  Washington,  Oregon,
Montana, Idaho and California, as well as two cities in Canada. Horizon provides
interconnecting  passenger  traffic to  Alaska  Airlines through  its  major hub
cities, Seattle, Portland and Spokane. As of December 31, 1994, Horizon operated
five owned and 60 leased aircraft with an average age of nine years.

    For the year  ended December  31, 1994, Air  Group's consolidated  operating
revenues were $1.3 billion, of which 89% came from scheduled passenger services,
7%  came from freight and mail, and 4% came from mileage plan partners and other
nonpassenger  sources.  Alaska  Airlines   carried  approximately  9.0   million
passengers   in  1994  and  accounted  for  approximately  81%  of  Air  Group's
consolidated 1994 operating revenues. Horizon carried approximately 3.5  million
passengers  in  1994  and  accounted  for  the  remaining  19%  of  Air  Group's
consolidated 1994 operating revenues.

   
    The Company's strategy is  to define strategic markets  and then to  achieve
strong  market positions by offering high-quality service at competitive prices.
The combined  route system  of Alaska  Airlines and  Horizon, when  viewed as  a
whole,  blends  aspects  of  both  the  hub-and-spoke  and  linear  route system
concepts, resulting in an integrated  system that provides passengers with  more
frequent flights than the Company's competitors in a substantial majority of the
150 nonstop city pairs that the Company serves. Both Alaska Airlines and Horizon
seek  to differentiate  themselves from  their competitors  by offering superior
levels of value and service. Alaska Airlines' service has been recognized with a
number of awards, including Airline of the Year awards from CONDE NAST  TRAVELER
magazine  in five of the last six  years and high rankings in consumer magazines
and customer surveys by  J.D. Power & Associates  and the Zagat's United  States
Travel Survey.
    

COST AND PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS

    In  response to changing conditions and intense competition, Alaska Airlines
executed a cost reduction and productivity improvement program beginning in 1992
and continuing into 1995. As a result of this program, Alaska Airlines has  been
able  to significantly reduce its cost per available seat mile ("ASM") from 10.2
cents in 1992 to  8.3 cents in  1994 and to  7.8 cents in  the first quarter  of
1995. The program embodies the following five key elements:

    - Achieving permanent reductions in operating costs

    - Improving productivity of equipment

    - Improving productivity of employees

    - Reducing or eliminating unprofitable flights

    - Restructuring  the Company's finances  to reduce high-cost  debt and lease
      expense

    OPERATING COST REDUCTION.  Management  reviewed and evaluated every  Company
program   to   eliminate   nonessential   activities.   Vendor   contracts  were
renegotiated, operating procedures revised, and staffing levels reduced. Without
compromising quality, Alaska  Airlines and Horizon  reduced their inflight  meal
costs  by altering menus,  emphasizing lighter fare,  and discontinuing meals on
shorter flights and  on those  flights operating outside  of regular  mealtimes.
Alaska  Airlines and  Horizon are  currently developing  an electronic ticketing
program, as well as other more direct methods for ticket distribution, which are
expected to  offer improved  customer convenience  and may  reduce  distribution
costs.

    FLEET  PRODUCTIVITY.  Recognizing the cost savings that could be achieved by
operating a more efficient fleet,  Alaska Airlines undertook a targeted  program
of aircraft retirement. Since 1992, Alaska Airlines has

                                      S-6
<PAGE>
retired  25  older Boeing  727-200/100 aircraft  while  adding 33  new McDonnell
Douglas MD-80 and  Boeing 737-400  aircraft, which has  resulted in  significant
fuel, labor and maintenance cost savings. The new aircraft are 33%-45% more fuel
efficient  and have contributed to lower labor costs since they require only two
pilots, compared to the three required by the older aircraft.

    While cost  reductions were  the centerpiece  of operating  improvements  in
1993,  productivity improvements were the focus  in 1994. By reducing turn times
and increasing  the workday,  Alaska  Airlines increased  aircraft  utilization,
measured  in block hours  per day per aircraft,  from 8.5 hours  in 1992 to 10.3
hours in 1994 and to 10.4 hours in the first quarter of 1995.

    EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY.  Alaska Airlines has also found ways to significantly
improve employee  productivity.  From  1992 to  1994,  employees  per  departure
improved  12.8%, passengers per  employee increased 44.0%  and ASMs per employee
grew 26.2%. During the  same period, Horizon also  showed increases in ASMs  per
employee and passengers per employee.

    IMPROVED  PROFITABILITY OF  ROUTE STRUCTURE.   Alaska  Airlines reviewed its
route structure to  identify nonprofitable flights.  Service to Boise,  Spokane,
Tucson,  Long Beach, Guadalajara and Mexico  City was suspended. Marginal routes
were  pared,  and  aircraft  were  reassigned  to  core  routes  in  Alaska  and
California.  The Company also  continued to explore  new opportunities to expand
its markets. Service was added  to Las Vegas, Reno,  Sacramento and a number  of
smaller communities in Alaska.

    FINANCIAL  RESTRUCTURING.   The Company  took advantage  of historically low
interest rates to restructure its higher-cost obligations. $61.2 million of  the
Company's  preferred stock was  redeemed in 1993,  thereby eliminating preferred
dividends and reducing  the Company's after-tax  capital costs by  more than  $4
million  per year. In addition, the  Company further reshaped its cost structure
by entering into  an agreement  in late  1994 with  International Lease  Finance
Corporation  that provides lower  ownership costs for 20  of Alaska Airlines' 22
Boeing 737-400 aircraft. This new agreement  is expected to generate savings  of
more than $6 million annually over its 10-year term.

MARKET SHARE

    ALASKA AIRLINES

    During  the first quarter of 1995, Alaska  Airlines had the highest share of
nonstop flights along its routes in each of its following major markets:
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               WEST COAST U.S. TO
    PACIFIC NORTHWEST TO ALASKA                WEST COAST MEXICO
- ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>        <C>                        <C>
ALASKA AIRLINES                61.0%  ALASKA AIRLINES                52.9%
MarkAir (1)                    15.0%  Delta                          13.7%
Delta                           9.4%  AeroMexico                     13.7%
United                          5.4%  Mexicana                       12.8%
All Others                      9.2%  Aero California                 6.9%

<CAPTION>

        PACIFIC NORTHWEST TO                  PACIFIC NORTHWEST TO
        NORTHERN CALIFORNIA                   SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- ------------------------------------  ------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>        <C>                        <C>
ALASKA AIRLINES                41.5%  ALASKA AIRLINES                72.1%
United/United Shuttle          32.4%  United/United Shuttle          14.6%
Southwest                      16.3%  Delta                          10.1%
Reno Air                        5.0%  MarkAir (1)                     3.1%
All Others                      4.8%  All Others                       .1%

Source: Official Airline Guide Standard Scheduling Information Manual dated May
 4, 1995.
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)  MarkAir has since ceased operating in these markets. See "Recent Operating
     Results and Developments" in this Prospectus Supplement.
</TABLE>
    

                                      S-7
<PAGE>
    Approximately 65% of  Alaska Airlines'  passengers travel  from the  Pacific
Northwest  to  other West  Coast destinations,  25%  travel between  the Pacific
Northwest and Alaska or within Alaska, and 10% travel internationally. The  most
significant  element  of Alaska  Airlines' route  system  is its  high frequency
service in all the major West Coast markets that it serves.

   
    Alaska Airlines provides extensive service between the Pacific Northwest and
both the Northern California and Southern California markets, as well as  within
the  Pacific Northwest region.  Less than 3%  of Alaska Airlines'  service is on
intra-California routes.
    

    Over half of the U.S.  cities served by Alaska  Airlines are located in  the
state  of Alaska.  In each  year since  1973, Alaska  Airlines has  carried more
passengers between Alaska and the U.S.  mainland than any other airline.  Alaska
Airlines  also serves many smaller communities  in Alaska and California through
code-sharing agreements with local carriers.

    Alaska Airlines  serves  three resort  cities  in Mexico:  Puerta  Vallarta,
Mazatlan  and Los Cabos. Traffic in these markets is strongest during the winter
months, which partially offsets the  reduced seasonal demand in Alaska,  thereby
allowing  the  Company to  better utilize  its  aircraft fleet.  Alaska Airlines
serves the Russian Far East with flights to Magadan, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok,
and plans to begin service this summer to Petropavlosk.

    HORIZON

    Horizon is the largest regional airline in the Pacific Northwest, and serves
36 cities in Washington, Oregon, Montana,  Idaho and California, as well as  two
cities in Canada. In 1994, Horizon carried approximately 3.5 million passengers.

    Horizon  flights are  listed under  the Alaska  Airlines designator  code in
airline computer reservation  systems. Certain Horizon  flights are also  listed
under  the  Northwest  designator code.  In  1994, 24%  of  Horizon's passengers
connected to  Alaska Airlines  flights  and another  8% connected  to  Northwest
Airlines  flights. The number  of passengers connecting  between Alaska Airlines
and Horizon rose  44% in 1994.  In contrast to  most regional airlines,  Horizon
relies  much less on connecting traffic, with over half of its passengers having
origins and destinations within the Horizon route system.

SERVICE

    The Company generally offers the same low fares as its competitors, but with
more frequent service. The Company, however, believes that both Alaska  Airlines
and  Horizon offer superior value to their customers by providing a higher level
of customer service and amenities as compared to their major competitors. Unlike
its major competitors, Alaska Airlines continues to offer meal service,  advance
seat  selection and a  first-class cabin. Additionally,  Alaska Airlines' fleet,
with an average age of six years, is the youngest of any major U.S. carrier  and
is  configured  to create  more  legroom for  its  passengers. The  Company also
provides interline services that  allow passengers to be  ticketed and to  check
their  baggage to their  final destinations on virtually  every major airline in
the world.

    The Company's mileage program allows customers to earn mileage credits while
flying on Alaska  Airlines, as well  as Horizon, Northwest  Airlines, TWA,  SAS,
Qantas  and British Airways. Mileage credit can be redeemed for travel on Alaska
Airlines, Horizon or any  of the program partners  for reward travel  worldwide.
Mileage  can also be earned from marketing partners such as credit card issuers,
long-distance telecommunications carriers, hotels and car rental firms. In 1994,
the Company generated $34 million in  revenues from sales of mileage credits  to
nonairline partners.

EMPLOYEES

    Alaska  Airlines had 6,901 full-time and  part-time employees as of December
31, 1994, approximately 87% of whom are represented under collective  bargaining
agreements.  No material  Alaska Airlines  labor agreements  are amendable until
September 1997.

    Horizon had 2,951 full-time and part-time employees as of December 31, 1994,
approximately  20%  of   whom  are  represented   under  collective   bargaining
agreements.

                                      S-8
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS

   
    The  net proceeds  to the  Company from the  sale of  the Debentures offered
hereby are estimated to be approximately $112,125,000 (excluding expenses  other
than   the   Underwriters'  discount   and   assuming  that   the  Underwriters'
over-allotment option is  not exercised).  Such net  proceeds will  be added  to
working   capital  and  used  for  general  corporate  purposes,  including  the
redemption or  repurchase  of  the  Company's outstanding  7  1/4%  zero  coupon
convertible  subordinated notes due 2006, which  the Company may be obligated to
repurchase at the option of the holders thereof on April 18, 1996. Pending  such
uses,  the  net  proceeds  of  this offering  will  be  invested  in short-term,
interest-bearing securities.
    

                                 CAPITALIZATION

   
    The following table sets forth Air Group's consolidated capitalization as of
March 31, 1995 and  as adjusted to  reflect the sale  of the Debentures  offered
hereby,  assuming  no exercise  of the  Underwriters' over-allotment  option and
without giving effect to the Underwriters' discount and the payment of expenses,
and does not reflect application of the net proceeds of this offering. See  "Use
of Proceeds" in this Prospectus Supplement.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               MARCH 31, 1995
                                                                                           -----------------------
                                                                                             ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
                                                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                        <C>         <C>
Indebtedness:
  Short-term borrowings..................................................................  $    4,000   $   4,000
  Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations........................      72,080      72,080
  Notes payable due through 2009.........................................................     325,077     325,077
  6 1/2% convertible senior debentures due 2005..........................................          --     115,000
  Convertible subordinated debentures:
    7 3/4% due 2005-2010.................................................................      14,354      14,354
    6 7/8% due 2000-2014.................................................................      54,041      54,041
  7 1/4% zero coupon convertible subordinated notes due 2006.............................     130,085     130,085
  Long-term capital lease obligations....................................................      55,679      55,679
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
      Total indebtedness.................................................................  $  655,316   $ 770,316
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
Shareholders' Equity:
  Common stock, par value $1.00 per share (30,000,000 shares authorized; 13,402,186
   shares outstanding)...................................................................  $   97,534   $  97,534
  Deferred compensation..................................................................      (4,353)     (4,353)
  Retained earnings......................................................................      82,132      82,132
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
      Total shareholders' equity.........................................................  $  175,313   $ 175,313
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
        Total capitalization.............................................................  $  830,629   $ 945,629
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
</TABLE>
    

                   RECENT OPERATING RESULTS AND DEVELOPMENTS

    Air  Group incurred a first quarter 1995 net loss of $16.3 million, or $1.22
per share, compared to a  net loss of $6.3 million,  or $0.47 per share, in  the
prior year's first quarter. The operating loss for the quarter was $18.3 million
compared  to $2.9 million for the same  quarter the prior year. The 1995 results
reflect lower  average  fares and  load  factors  at both  Alaska  Airlines  and
Horizon.

    Alaska  Airlines' passenger revenues,  which accounted for  86% of its total
operating revenues,  increased  1.5% in  the  first quarter  of  1995 on  a  17%
increase in passenger traffic. Capacity increased 25% primarily due to increased
flights  in the Pacific Northwest-to-California  market. The load factor dropped
from 60.2% in the first quarter of 1994  to 56.4% in the first quarter of  1995.
Passenger yields declined 13% to 11.2 cents

                                      S-9
<PAGE>
per   passenger  mile  in  the  first  quarter  of  1995,  reflecting  increased
competition in the West  Coast routes. Operating cost  per ASM decreased 13%  to
7.8  cents in  the first  quarter of 1995,  compared to  8.9 cents  in the first
quarter of 1994.

    During the fourth  quarter of  1994 and the  first quarter  of 1995,  Alaska
Airlines experienced yield declines resulting from low fare offerings across its
system.  Although several fare increases have occurred since early February, the
lingering effect  of these  low fare  offerings will  have an  impact on  second
quarter  results. In  addition, for  the past  several months  industry capacity
increases  in  Alaska  Airlines'  West  Coast  markets  have  exceeded   traffic
increases, resulting in lower load factors.

    MarkAir,  a significant competitor of Alaska Airlines in the state of Alaska
since 1992, filed for  Chapter 11 bankruptcy  for the second  time on April  14,
1995 and ceased operating in all of Alaska Airlines' markets at the end of April
1995.

   
    Horizon's passenger revenues, which accounted for 95% of its total operating
revenues,  increased  16% in  the first  quarter of  1995 on  a 30%  increase in
passenger traffic. Capacity increased 34% due to the addition of larger-capacity
Fokker F-28 jets  and Dornier 328  turboprop aircraft. The  load factor  dropped
from  59.4% in the first quarter of 1994  to 57.7% in the first quarter of 1995.
Passenger yields declined  11% to  31.9 cents per  passenger mile  in the  first
quarter of 1995, reflecting increased competition and longer passenger trips.
    

    The  International Association  of Machinists (the  "IAM") represents Alaska
Airlines' clerical, office and passenger  service employees. On April 17,  1995,
Alaska  Airlines and the IAM reached  agreement on an amended four-year contract
for these employees; the contract was ratified by the employees in early May. In
April 1995, Horizon's  mechanics and  related classifications  of the  Transport
Workers Union of America ratified a new three-year contract.

                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

    The  Company's Common Stock  is listed on  the New York  Stock Exchange. The
following table indicates the high and low  sales prices of the Common Stock  as
reported by the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            HIGH        LOW
                                           -------    -------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>
1993
  First Quarter.........................   $18        $15 5/8
  Second Quarter........................    17 7/8     14 1/4
  Third Quarter.........................    15         12 1/4
  Fourth Quarter........................    17 3/8     12 1/2
1994
  First Quarter.........................   $18 7/8    $13 5/8
  Second Quarter........................    16 1/8     13 3/4
  Third Quarter.........................    17 7/8     14 3/8
  Fourth Quarter........................    18         13 1/8
1995
  First Quarter.........................   $16 3/4    $13 1/2
  Second Quarter (through June 21,
   1995)................................    17 5/8     14 1/2
</TABLE>
    

                                      S-10
<PAGE>
                     SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

   
    The  following table summarizes selected financial and operating information
for Air Group and its principal  subsidiaries, Alaska Airlines and Horizon.  The
consolidated  financial data for each of the five years ended December 31, 1994,
set forth below, have been taken from the financial data included in Air Group's
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus Supplement  and the  related  Registration Statement.  The  financial
statements  for the  five years  ended December 31,  1994 have  been examined by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants. This summary should be read
in conjunction with the financial  statements, including the notes thereto,  and
other  information  contained in  the documents  incorporated by  reference. The
selected financial information for the three-month periods ended March 31,  1995
and  1994 is unaudited  but includes all adjustments  (consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments) that are necessary, in  the opinion of management, for  a
fair  presentation  of  results  of operations  for  such  periods.  The airline
business is seasonal in  nature and the operating  results for the three  months
ended  March 31, 1995 are  not necessarily indicative of  results to be expected
for the full year.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                    ---------------------------------
                                         1995              1994
                                    ---------------   ---------------
                                         (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                 <C>               <C>
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA:
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating revenues................  $  294,573        $  280,382
Operating expenses................     312,874           283,310
Operating income (loss)...........     (18,301)           (2,928)
Other nonoperating expense, net
 (a)..............................     (11,636)           (8,084)
Income (loss) before income tax
 expense and accounting change....     (29,937)          (11,012)
Net income (loss).................  $  (16,340)       $   (6,313)
Average primary shares outstanding
 (000)............................      13,400            13,349
Primary earnings (loss) per share
 (b)..............................  $    (1.22)       $    (0.47)
Fully diluted earnings per
 share............................         (c)               (c)
Cash dividends per share..........          --                --
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF
 PERIOD):
Total assets......................  $1,287,833        $1,191,587
Long-term debt and capital lease
 obligations......................     579,236           593,405
Redeemable preferred stock........          --                --
Shareholders' equity..............     175,313           160,919
Ratio of earnings to fixed
 charges..........................         (d)               (d)

ALASKA AIRLINES OPERATING DATA:
Revenue passenger miles
 (000,000)........................       1,793             1,536
Available seat miles (000,000)....       3,182             2,553
Revenue passenger load factor.....        56.4%             60.2%
Yield per passenger mile..........        11.2 CENTS        12.8 CENTS
Operating expenses per available
 seat mile........................         7.8 CENTS         8.9 CENTS

HORIZON AIR OPERATING DATA:
Revenue passenger miles
 (000,000)........................         186               143
Available seat miles (000,000)....         323               241
Revenue passenger load factor.....        57.7%             59.4%
Yield per passenger mile..........        31.9 CENTS        35.7 CENTS
Operating expenses per available
 seat mile........................        20.6 CENTS        22.9 CENTS

<CAPTION>

                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                       1994              1993              1992              1991              1990

                                  ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ---------------

<S>                                 <C>             <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA:
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Operating revenues................$1,315,620        $1,128,329        $1,115,378        $1,104,031        $1,046,965

Operating expenses................ 1,240,622         1,145,102         1,210,219         1,069,405         1,018,546

Operating income (loss)...........    74,998           (16,773)          (94,841)           34,626            28,419

Other nonoperating expense, net
 (a)..............................   (34,037)          (29,039)          (30,865)          (18,419)             (501)

Income (loss) before income tax
 expense and accounting change....    40,961           (45,812)         (125,706)           16,207            27,918

Net income (loss).................$   22,531        $  (30,918)       $  (84,837)       $   10,338        $   17,167

Average primary shares outstanding
 (000)............................    13,378            13,340            13,309            13,413            13,675

Primary earnings (loss) per share
 (b)..............................$     1.68        $    (2.51)       $    (6.87)       $     0.27        $     0.82

Fully diluted earnings per
 share............................      1.62               (c)               (c)               (c)               (c)

Cash dividends per share..........        --                --        $     0.15        $     0.20        $     0.20

BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF
 PERIOD):
Total assets......................$1,315,771        $1,134,954        $1,208,358        $1,225,455        $1,021,404

Long-term debt and capital lease
 obligations......................   589,904           525,418           487,847           499,971           281,759

Redeemable preferred stock........        --                --            61,235            60,947            60,665

Shareholders' equity..............   191,278           166,833           196,724           284,447           279,833

Ratio of earnings to fixed
 charges..........................      1.36               (d)               (d)              1.10              1.32

ALASKA AIRLINES OPERATING DATA:
Revenue passenger miles
 (000,000)........................     7,587             5,514             5,537             4,948             4,494

Available seat miles (000,000)....    12,082             9,426             9,617             8,789             8,380

Revenue passenger load factor.....      62.8%             58.5%             57.6%             56.3%             53.6%

Yield per passenger mile..........      12.2 CENTS        14.3 CENTS        14.5 CENTS        16.7 CENTS        17.8 CENTS

Operating expenses per available
 seat mile........................       8.3 CENTS         9.9 CENTS        10.5 CENTS        10.2 CENTS        10.3 CENTS

HORIZON AIR OPERATING DATA:
Revenue passenger miles
 (000,000)........................       733               560               486               405               357

Available seat miles (000,000)....     1,165               986               905               786               720

Revenue passenger load factor.....      62.9%             56.8%             53.7%             51.5%             49.6%

Yield per passenger mile..........      33.3 CENTS        37.9 CENTS        40.7 CENTS        42.9 CENTS        43.4 CENTS

Operating expenses per available
 seat mile........................      21.0 CENTS        21.8 CENTS        22.2 CENTS        22.3 CENTS        21.9 CENTS

<FN>
- ------------------------------
(a)   Includes capitalized interest of $0 and  $.1 million for the three  months
      ended March 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively, and $.4 million, $.5 million,
      $6.1  million, $8.3 million and $9.0  million for the years ended December
      31, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991 and 1990, respectively.
(b)   For 1992, primary earnings per share includes $(.34) for the $4.6  million
      cumulative  effect of the postretirement  benefits accounting change as of
      January 1, 1992.
(c)   Antidilutive.
(d)   For 1993 and 1992, earnings are inadequate to cover fixed charges by $46.3
      million and $131.8 million, respectively. For the three months ended March
      31, 1995 and 1994, earnings are inadequate to cover fixed charges by $29.9
      million and $11.1 million, respectively.
</TABLE>
    

                                      S-11
<PAGE>
    REVENUE PASSENGER  MILES--THE  NUMBER  OF  PAYING  PASSENGERS  ON  A  FLIGHT
MULTIPLIED BY THE ROUTE MILES OF THAT FLIGHT, SUMMED FOR ALL PASSENGER FLIGHTS.

    AVAILABLE  SEAT  MILES--AIRCRAFT MILES  FLOWN  MULTIPLIED BY  THE  NUMBER OF
AVAILABLE SEATS  ON  THE  AIRCRAFT;  REPRESENTS  THE  TOTAL  PASSENGER  CARRYING
CAPACITY OFFERED.

    REVENUE  PASSENGER LOAD FACTOR--REVENUE PASSENGER MILES DIVIDED BY AVAILABLE
SEAT MILES; REPRESENTS  THE PERCENTAGE  OF AVAILABLE SEAT  CAPACITY OCCUPIED  BY
REVENUE PASSENGERS.

    YIELD  PER PASSENGER MILE--REPRESENTS THE AVERAGE PASSENGER REVENUE RECEIVED
FOR EACH MILE A PASSENGER IS CARRIED.

    OPERATING  EXPENSES  PER  AVAILABLE  SEAT  MILE--REPRESENTS  THE  RESULT  OF
OPERATING EXPENSES DIVIDED BY AVAILABLE SEAT MILES.

                                      S-12
<PAGE>
                         DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBENTURES

    The  following description of the particular terms of the Debentures offered
hereby (referred  to in  the accompanying  Prospectus as  the "Convertible  Debt
Securities") supplements and, to the extent inconsistent therewith, replaces the
description  of  the  general  terms  and  provisions  of  the  Convertible Debt
Securities set  forth  in  the accompanying  Prospectus,  to  which  description
reference  is hereby made. Capitalized  terms used but not  defined herein or in
the accompanying Prospectus have the meanings given to them in the Indenture (as
hereinafter defined)  or the  Supplemental Indenture  (as hereinafter  defined).
Section references are to the Supplemental Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

GENERAL

   
    The  Debentures will constitute senior  unsecured obligations of the Company
limited to $115,000,000 aggregate principal amount, plus such additional  amount
not  in  excess of  $17,250,000 as  may  be purchased  by the  Underwriters upon
exercise of the  over-allotment option.  See "Underwriting"  in this  Prospectus
Supplement.  The Debentures  will mature on  June 15, 2005.  The Debentures will
constitute a series of Convertible Senior  Debt Securities (as described in  the
accompanying Prospectus) and will be issued under an Indenture, dated as of June
27,  1995 (the  "Indenture"), between the  Company and Harris  Trust and Savings
Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee"), the terms of which are more fully described in
the accompanying Prospectus, as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture,  dated
as  of June 27, 1995 (the "Supplemental Indenture"), between the Company and the
Trustee. The  Debentures  will  be  issued only  in  fully  registered  form  in
denominations  of $1,000 and integral  multiples thereof. Principal, premium, if
any, and  interest on  the Debentures  will be  payable at  the corporate  trust
office of Bank of Montreal Trust Company in New York, New York.
    

   
    Interest  on the Debentures will accrue at the  rate of 6 1/2% per annum and
will be payable semiannually on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing
December 15, 1995,  to the holders  of record of  Debentures on the  June 1  and
December 1 next preceding such interest payment date. Interest on the Debentures
will  accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no
interest has been paid, from the original date of issuance.
    

CONVERSION

    The Debentures will be convertible at their principal amount or any  portion
thereof  that is an integral  multiple of $1,000 at  any time prior to maturity,
subject to prior redemption at the Company's option on or after June 15, 1998 or
purchase by the Company  at the holder's  option in the event  of any Change  in
Control (as hereinafter defined), into shares of Common Stock, at the conversion
price  set  forth on  the  front cover  page  hereof, subject  to  adjustment as
described below. The Company will not be required to issue fractional shares  of
Common Stock, but will pay a cash adjustment in lieu thereof. In the case of any
Debenture  or  portion thereof  called  for redemption,  conversion  rights will
expire at the close  of business on the  business day immediately preceding  the
redemption  date. Interest  accrued shall not  be paid  on converted Debentures;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if  any Debenture is called  for redemption on June  15,
1998, and such Debenture is surrendered for conversion at any time during the 10
business  days  immediately preceding  the date  fixed for  redemption, interest
shall accrue on such Debenture through  the date fixed for redemption and  shall
be  payable on such redemption date to  the person who surrenders such Debenture
for conversion. If any Debenture not called for redemption is converted  between
a  record date  for the  payment of  interest and  the next  succeeding interest
payment date, such Debenture must be accompanied by funds equal to the  interest
payable  on such  interest payment  date on  the principal  amount so converted.
(Section 2.4.)

    The conversion price is subject  to adjustment in certain events,  including
(a)   the  subdivision,   combination  or  reclassification   of  the  Company's
outstanding Common Stock, (b) the issuance by  the Company of Common Stock as  a
dividend  or distribution  on the  Common Stock, (c)  the issuance  of rights or
warrants to  all holders  of Common  Stock entitling  them to  subscribe for  or
purchase  shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable
for Common Stock) at a price per share (or having a conversion or exercise price
per share) less than  the current market price  (as defined in the  Supplemental
Indenture)  of the Common Stock on the  record date, and (d) the distribution by
the Company to all holders of Common Stock of shares of capital stock other than
Common  Stock,   debt  securities   or   assets  or   rights  or   warrants   to

                                      S-13
<PAGE>
purchase  assets or securities of the Company (excluding the rights and warrants
referred to in clause  (c) and cash dividends  or other cash distributions  from
consolidated  current net  earnings or  earned surplus  or dividends  payable in
Common Stock but  including Extraordinary Cash  Dividends). In the  Supplemental
Indenture, "current market price" is defined as the average of the last reported
sale price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange for 30 consecutive
trading  days commencing 45 trading days before the date in question. There will
be no upward adjustment in the conversion price except in the event of a reverse
stock split. No adjustment of the conversion  price will be required to be  made
until  the cumulative adjustments require an increase or decrease of at least 1%
in the conversion price as last adjusted. (Section 2.4.)

    Certain adjustments  to  the  conversion  price  to  reflect  the  Company's
issuance  of certain rights, warrants,  evidences of indebtedness, securities or
other assets to holders of Common Stock may result in constructive distributions
taxable as dividends to U.S. holders of the Debentures. Similarly, if instead of
adjusting the conversion price  upon such issuance, the  Company elects at  such
time to alter the consideration receivable by the holders of the Debentures upon
conversion  to include the  assets such holders  would have been  entitled to if
conversion had  occurred  prior  to  the record  date  for  such  issuance,  the
alteration may result in constructive distributions taxable as dividends to U.S.
holders of the Debentures.

    Subject  to any applicable right of the holders upon a Change in Control, in
case of  any  reclassification  (excluding those  referred  to  above),  merger,
consolidation,  sale or conveyance by the Company of all or substantially all of
the Company's assets as  an entirety, the holder  of each outstanding  Debenture
shall  have the right to convert such Debenture only into the kind and amount of
shares of stock and other securities and property (including cash) receivable in
such transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into  which
such  Debenture was convertible  immediately prior to the  effective date of the
transaction.

REDEMPTION

    The Debentures will  be redeemable, in  whole or in  part, at the  Company's
option  on not less than 30, nor more than 60, days' prior notice to each holder
of Debentures to  be redeemed, at  any time on  or after June  15, 1998, at  the
redemption  prices (expressed as percentages of  the principal amount) set forth
below, plus accrued  and unpaid  interest to  the redemption  date, if  redeemed
during the 12-month period beginning June 15 of the calendar years indicated:

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR                                              REDEMPTION PRICE
- ------------------------------------------------  ----------------
<S>                                               <C>
1998............................................       104.333%
1999............................................       103.611%
2000............................................       102.889%
2001............................................       102.167%
2002............................................       101.444%
2003............................................       100.722%
</TABLE>
    

   
and, on or after June 15, 2004, at 100% of the principal amount. (Section 2.5.)
    

    If less than all the Debentures are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select
the  Debentures or  portions thereof  to be redeemed  by any  method the Trustee
deems fair and appropriate. (Section 10.3 of the Indenture.) There is no sinking
fund for the Debentures.

RANKING

    The Debentures will constitute senior  unsecured obligations of the  Company
and  will rank  PARI PASSU  in right  of payment  to the  Company's other senior
unsecured indebtedness. As of the date  hereof, the Company had no other  senior
unsecured  indebtedness. The Company is a  holding company and, accordingly, the
Debentures  will  be  effectively  subordinated  to  all  existing  and   future
liabilities  of the Company's operating  subsidiaries, including Alaska Airlines
and Horizon.  As  of  March 31,  1995,  the  long-term debt  and  capital  lease
obligations  of  Alaska Airlines  and of  Horizon were  $438.0 million  and $3.6
million, respectively.

                                      S-14
<PAGE>
PURCHASE OF DEBENTURES UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL

   
    In the event of any Change in  Control, each holder will have the right,  at
the  holder's option, subject to  the terms and conditions  of the Indenture, to
require the Company  to purchase all  or any part  (provided that the  principal
amount  must  be  $1,000  or  an  integral  multiple  thereof)  of  the holder's
Debentures on the date  that is 35  business days after  the occurrence of  such
Change  in Control (the  "Change in Control  Purchase Date") at  a cash purchase
price (the "Change in  Control Purchase Price") equal  to 100% of the  principal
amount  thereof, plus  accrued and  unpaid interest,  if any,  to the  Change in
Control Purchase Date. (Section 2.6.)
    

    Within 15 business days after the Change in Control, the Company shall  mail
to  the Trustee,  who shall  mail to  each holder  (and to  beneficial owners as
required by applicable  law), a notice  regarding the Change  in Control,  which
notice  shall state, among other things: (a)  the date of such Change in Control
and, briefly, the events causing  such Change in Control,  (b) the last date  on
which  the Change  in Control Purchase  Notice (as hereinafter  defined) must be
given, (c)  the Change  in Control  Purchase  Date, (d)  the Change  in  Control
Purchase  Price, (e) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion
Agent, (f) the conversion rate and any adjustments thereto, (g) that  Debentures
with respect to which a Change in Control Purchase Notice is given by the holder
may  be converted  into shares  of Common  Stock only  if the  Change in Control
Purchase Notice  has  been  withdrawn  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of  the
Indenture, (h) the procedures that holders must follow to exercise these rights,
(i)  the procedure for withdrawing a Change in Control Purchase Notice, (j) that
holders who want to convert Debentures must satisfy the procedural  requirements
set  forth in  paragraph 3  of the Debentures,  and (k)  briefly, the conversion
rights of holders of the Debentures. (Section 2.6.)

    To exercise the purchase  right, the holder must  deliver written notice  of
the exercise of such right (a "Change in Control Purchase Notice") to the Paying
Agent  or an office or agency maintained by  the Company for such purpose in the
Borough of Manhattan,  The City  of New  York, New York  prior to  the close  of
business  on the Change in  Control Purchase Date. (Section  2.6.) The Change in
Control  Purchase  Notice  shall  state  (a)  the  certificate  numbers  of  the
Debentures  to be delivered by  the holder thereof for  purchase by the Company;
(b) the portion  of the principal  amount of Debentures  to be purchased,  which
portion  must  be $1,000  or an  integral  multiple thereof;  and (c)  that such
Debentures are  to  be purchased  by  the  Company pursuant  to  the  applicable
provisions of the Debentures. (Section 2.6.)

    Any  Change in Control Purchase  Notice may be withdrawn  by the holder by a
written notice  of withdrawal  delivered to  the Paying  Agent or  to any  other
office  or agency mandated by the Company for such purpose prior to the close of
business on the Change in Control Purchase Date. The notice of withdrawal  shall
state  the principal amount and the certificate  numbers of the Debentures as to
which the  withdrawal notice  relates and  the principal  amount, if  any,  that
remains subject to a Change in Control Purchase Notice. (Section 2.6.)

    Payment  of the Change in Control Purchase Price for a Debenture for which a
Change in  Control Purchase  Notice  has been  delivered  and not  withdrawn  is
conditioned   on  delivery  of  such  Debenture  (together  with  the  necessary
endorsements) to  the Paying  Agent or  an office  or agency  maintained by  the
Company  for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New
York at any time (whether prior to,  on or after the Change in Control  Purchase
Date)  after the delivery of such Change  in Control Purchase Notice. Payment of
the Change in Control  Purchase Price for such  Debenture will be made  promptly
following  the later  of the  Change in  Control Purchase  Date and  the time of
delivery of such Debenture.  If the Paying Agent  holds, in accordance with  the
terms  of  the Supplemental  Indenture, money  sufficient to  pay the  Change in
Control Purchase  Price of  such Debenture  on the  business day  following  the
Change  in  Control Purchase  Date, then,  on  and after  the Change  in Control
Purchase Date, such Debenture will cease to be outstanding and interest on  such
Debenture  will cease  to accrue and  will be  deemed paid, whether  or not such
Debenture is delivered to the Paying Agent,  and all other rights of the  holder
shall  terminate (other than the right to receive the Change in Control Purchase
Price upon delivery of such Debenture). (Section 2.6.)

                                      S-15
<PAGE>
    Under the Supplemental Indenture,  a "Change in Control"  of the Company  is
deemed  to have occurred at such time as (a) any "person" or "group" (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of  1934,
as  amended (the "Exchange Act")) other than  the Company, any subsidiary of the
Company or  any employee  benefit plan  or stock  ownership plan  of either  the
Company  or any  subsidiary of the  Company, (i)  files a Schedule  13D or 14D-1
under the Exchange Act  (or any successor schedule,  form or report)  disclosing
that  such  person has  become  the "beneficial  owner" of  50%  or more  of the
Company's capital stock having  the power to vote  in the election of  directors
under  ordinary circumstances  ("Voting Stock"),  with certain  exceptions, (ii)
acquires more than 50% of the Company's assets, or (iii) acquires more than  50%
of  the assets or Voting  Stock of any subsidiary (A)  the total assets of which
exceed 50% of the consolidated total assets of the Company and its  subsidiaries
or  (B)  the  operating income  of  which exceeded  50%  of the  average  of the
consolidated operating  income  of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  for  the
Company's  three most  recently completed  fiscal years,  or (b)  there shall be
consummated any consolidation or merger of the Company (i) in which the  Company
is  not the  resulting or  surviving corporation or  (ii) pursuant  to which any
Voting Stock of the  Company would be converted  into cash, securities or  other
property,  in each case other  than a consolidation or  merger of the Company in
which the holders of such Voting Stock immediately prior to the consolidation or
merger have at least a majority of the Voting Stock, directly or indirectly,  of
the  resulting or surviving  corporation immediately after  the consolidation or
merger. (Section 1.2.) The Supplemental Indenture does not permit the  Company's
Board of Directors to waive the Company's obligation to purchase Debentures at a
holder's  option in the  event of a  Change in Control  of the Company. (Section
2.6.)

    The Company shall  comply with the  provisions of Rule  13e-4 and any  other
tender  offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable, and will
file a Schedule 13E-4  or any other schedule  required thereunder in  connection
with  any  offer by  the Company  to purchase  Debentures at  the option  of the
holders thereof upon a Change in  Control. (Section 2.6.) The Change in  Control
purchase  feature  of  the Debentures  may  in certain  circumstances  make more
difficult or discourage  a takeover  of the Company  and, thus,  the removal  of
incumbent management.

    If  a Change in  Control Offer is made,  there can be  no assurance that the
Company would have funds sufficient to pay the Change in Control Purchase  Price
for  all the Debentures that might be delivered by holders of Debentures seeking
to exercise the purchase right. In  addition, the Company's ability to  purchase
Debentures  with cash may be limited by the terms of its then existing borrowing
arrangements. The Company's ability to purchase Debentures with cash may also be
limited by the terms of its  subsidiaries' then existing debt agreements due  to
dividend restrictions, since the Company's source of funds for any such purchase
will  be primarily from  dividends and other payments  from its subsidiaries. No
Debentures may be purchased pursuant to the provisions described above if  there
has  occurred and is  continuing an Event of  Default described under "--Certain
Covenants and Events  of Default" in  this Prospectus Supplement  (other than  a
default  in the payment of the Change  in Control Purchase Price with respect to
such Debentures).

    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the  provisions described above with  respect
to  a Change in Control  will not prevent a  takeover or recapitalization of the
Company  that  would  otherwise  comply  with  the  provisions  described  under
"Description  of Convertible  Debt Securities--Consolidation, Merger  or Sale by
the Issuer" in the accompanying Prospectus.

DEFEASANCE

    The  provisions   described   under   "Description   of   Convertible   Debt
Securities--Covenant   Defeasance"  in  the   accompanying  Prospectus  are  not
applicable to the Debentures.

CERTAIN COVENANTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT

    The provisions  of the  Indenture  that are  described in  the  accompanying
Prospectus   under  "Description   of  Convertible   Debt  Securities--General,"
"--Consolidation, Merger or Sale  by the Issuer,"  "--Events of Default,  Notice
and  Certain  Rights  on  Default" and  "--Payment,  Registration,  Transfer and
Exchange" will apply to the Debentures. The provisions of the Indenture that are
described in the accompanying Prospectus under "Description of Convertible  Debt
Securities--Modification   of   the   Indentures"  will   also   apply   to  the

                                      S-16
<PAGE>
Debentures;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that  no  modification  or  amendment  of  the
Indenture  may, without the consent of  the holder of each outstanding Debenture
affected thereby, make any change (a) to  the definition of the term "Change  in
Control"  or (b) that adversely affects the  right to convert, or the conversion
price for, any Debenture.

THE TRUSTEE

    Harris Trust and Savings  Bank will be the  Trustee under the Indenture  for
the  Debentures. An affiliate of Harris Trust and Savings Bank serves as trustee
with respect to  the Company's  7 3/4% Convertible  Subordinated Debentures  due
2005-2010  and the Company's  7 1/4% zero  coupon convertible subordinated notes
due 2006.

                                      S-17
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING

    Subject  to the terms and conditions set  forth in a purchase agreement (the
"Purchase Agreement") between  the Company and  the several underwriters  listed
below  (the "Underwriters"), the Company has agreed to sell to the Underwriters,
and the Underwriters  have severally agreed  to purchase from  the Company,  the
respective  principal amounts of  the Debentures set  forth opposite their names
below. The Purchase Agreement provides that the obligations of the  Underwriters
are  subject to certain  conditions precedent and that  the Underwriters will be
obligated to purchase all the Debentures if any are purchased.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  PRINCIPAL
          UNDERWRITER                                                               AMOUNT
                                                                                --------------
<S>                                                                             <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
          Incorporated........................................................  $   57,500,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co...........................................................      57,500,000
                                                                                --------------
          Total...............................................................  $  115,000,000
                                                                                --------------
                                                                                --------------
</TABLE>
    

   
    The Underwriters have  advised the  Company that they  propose initially  to
offer the Debentures to the public at the public offering price set forth on the
cover  page of this Prospectus Supplement, and  to certain dealers at such price
less a  concession  not  in excess  of  1.5%  of the  principal  amount  of  the
Debentures.  After the  initial public offering,  the public  offering price and
concession may be changed.
    

   
    The Company has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable for 30  days
after  the date of this  Prospectus Supplement, to purchase  up to an additional
$17,250,000 principal amount of Debentures to cover over-allotments, if any,  at
the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount.
    

    The  Company  has been  advised by  the  Underwriters that  the Underwriters
presently intend to  make a market  in the Debentures  offered hereby;  however,
they  are not obligated to  do so. Any market making  may be discontinued at any
time, and  there can  be  no assurance  that an  active  public market  for  the
Debentures will develop.

    The Company has agreed not to sell to any person other than the Underwriters
any  shares of  Common Stock or  securities convertible into  or exchangeable or
exercisable for Common Stock (other than (a) shares issuable upon conversion  of
the Debentures, (b) shares issuable upon the exercise or conversion of currently
outstanding  securities  of the  Company  and (c)  the  grant of  certain rights
pursuant to employee benefit plans) without the prior written consent of Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, on behalf of the Underwriters, for a
period of 90 days after the date of this Prospectus Supplement.

    The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including civil liabilities  under the Securities  Act of 1933,  as
amended.

    The  Underwriters, from time  to time, perform  investment banking and other
financial services  for  the  Company and  its  subsidiaries,  including  Alaska
Airlines and Horizon.

                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

    The  validity of the Debentures  offered hereby will be  passed upon for Air
Group by Perkins Coie, Seattle, Washington, and for the Underwriters by Shearman
& Sterling, New York, New York.

                                    EXPERTS

    The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Air Group at  December
31,  1994 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1994,
incorporated  by  reference  in  this  Prospectus  Supplement  and  the  related
Registration  Statement, have been  audited by Arthur  Andersen LLP, independent
public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and  are
incorporated  herein and therein in reliance upon  the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.

                                      S-18
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
- -------------

                             ALASKA AIR GROUP, INC.

                          CONVERTIBLE DEBT SECURITIES
                               ------------------

    Alaska  Air  Group, Inc.  ("Air  Group") may  from  time to  time  offer its
convertible debt securities (the  "Convertible Debt Securities"), consisting  of
debentures,  notes and/or other evidences of indebtedness representing unsecured
obligations of Air  Group convertible  into Common  Stock, par  value $1.00  per
share ("Common Stock"). The Convertible Debt Securities offered pursuant to this
Prospectus  may be issued in one or more series or issuances and will be limited
to $200,000,000 aggregate public offering  price. Certain specific terms of  the
Convertible  Debt  Securities  in  respect of  which  this  Prospectus  is being
delivered  are  set  forth  in  the  accompanying  Prospectus  Supplement   (the
"Prospectus Supplement"), including, where applicable, the specific designation,
aggregate  principal amount,  the denomination,  maturity, premium,  if any, the
rate (which may be fixed or variable), time and method of calculating payment of
interest, if any, the place or places  where principal of, premium, if any,  and
interest, if any, on such Convertible Debt Securities will be payable, any terms
of  redemption  at the  option  of Air  Group or  the  holder, any  sinking fund
provisions, terms for conversion into Common Stock, the initial public  offering
price  and other special terms. The  Prospectus Supplement will indicate whether
the Convertible  Debt Securities  will be  Convertible Senior  Debt  Securities,
which will rank equally with all other unsubordinated and unsecured indebtedness
of  Air  Group, or  as Convertible  Subordinated Debt  Securities which  will be
subordinated in right  of payment to  all Senior Indebtedness  of Air Group  (as
hereinafter defined). See "Description of Convertible Debt
Securities--Subordination of Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities."
                            ------------------------

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
    EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE
       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR ANY STATE  SECURITIES
             COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF
                  THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                          CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------

    Air   Group  may  sell  the  Convertible   Debt  Securities  to  or  through
underwriters, through dealers or agents or directly to purchasers. See "Plan  of
Distribution."  The accompanying Prospectus  Supplement sets forth  the names of
any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the Convertible Debt
Securities in  respect of  which this  Prospectus is  being delivered,  and  any
applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them.

    This  Prospectus may  not be  used to  consummate sales  of Convertible Debt
Securities unless  accompanied  by a  Prospectus  Supplement applicable  to  the
Convertible Debt Securities being sold.
                            ------------------------

                 THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MARCH 23, 1994.
<PAGE>
    No  dealer, salesperson or other individual  has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations  not contained in this Prospectus  in
connection  with the offering covered by this Prospectus. If given or made, such
information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized
by Air Group or the Underwriter. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to
sell, or a solicitation of an offer  to buy, the Convertible Debt Securities  in
any  jurisdiction where, or to  any person to whom, it  is unlawful to make such
offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made
hereunder shall, under any circumstances,  create an implication that there  has
not  been any change in the facts set forth in this Prospectus or in the affairs
of Air Group since the date hereof.

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

    Air Group  is  subject  to  the reporting  requirements  of  the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and, in accordance therewith,
files  reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission").  Such reports  and other  information may  be inspected  and
copied  at the public reference facilities  maintained by the Commission at Room
1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549; 75 Park Place, 14th Floor,
New York,  New York  10007; and  Northwestern Atrium  Center, 500  West  Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material may also be
obtained   at  prescribed  rates  from  the  Public  Reference  Section  of  the
Commission, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W., Washington, D.C.  20549. In addition,  such
material  filed by Air Group  may be inspected and copied  at the offices of the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

    This Prospectus constitutes a part of  a registration statement on Form  S-3
(together  with all amendments and exhibits, the "Registration Statement") filed
by Air Group and Alaska Airlines, Inc. ("Alaska") with the Commission under  the
Securities  Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This Prospectus does
not contain  all of  the  information included  in the  Registration  Statement,
certain  parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the Commission. Statements contained herein concerning the provisions of  any
document  do not purport to be complete and, in each instance, reference is made
to the copy of such document filed  as an exhibit to the Registration  Statement
or  otherwise filed with the  Commission. Each such statement  is subject to and
qualified in  its  entirety  by  such  reference.  Reference  is  made  to  such
Registration  Statement  and  to  the  exhibits  relating  thereto  for  further
information with  respect  to Air  Group  and the  Convertible  Debt  Securities
offered hereby.

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

    The  following documents have been filed with the Commission pursuant to the
1934 Act and are incorporated into this Prospectus by reference and made a  part
hereof:  Air  Group's Annual  Report  on Form  10-K  for the  fiscal  year ended
December 31, 1993.

    All documents filed  by Air Group  pursuant to Section  13(a), 13(c), 14  or
15(d) of the 1934 Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination  of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus,  and to  be a  part  hereof from  the date  of filing  of  such
documents.  Any statement incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded  for purposes  of this Prospectus  to the  extent that  a
statement  contained herein  or in any  other subsequently  filed document which
also is  or  is  deemed to  be  incorporated  by reference  herein  modifies  or
supersedes  such statement.  Any statement modified  or superseded  shall not be
deemed, except  as so  modified or  superseded,  to constitute  a part  of  this
Prospectus.  Air Group will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy
of this  Prospectus is  delivered, upon  the  written or  oral request  of  such
person,  a copy  of any  document incorporated  by reference  in this Prospectus
(other than exhibits  to such  documents unless such  exhibits are  specifically
incorporated by reference to such documents). Requests for such copies should be
directed  to the office of the Corporate Secretary, Alaska Air Group, Inc., P.O.
Box 68947, Seattle, Washington 98168 (telephone (206) 433-3131).

                                       2
<PAGE>
                              AIR GROUP AND ALASKA

    Air  Group is a holding company whose principal subsidiary is Alaska. Alaska
accounted for  approximately  80% of  Air  Group's consolidated  1993  operating
revenues  and 91%  of its total  assets at  December 31, 1993.  Alaska's all jet
fleet provides  scheduled  air  transportation  to 37  airports  in  six  states
(Alaska,  Washington, Oregon,  California, Nevada  and Arizona),  five cities in
Mexico and three cities in Russia.  Air Group also owns Horizon Air  Industries,
Inc.  ("Horizon"), a  regional airline  operating in  the Pacific  Northwest and
western Canada. The  principal executive  offices of  Air Group  are located  at
19300   Pacific  Highway  South,  Seattle,  Washington  98188  (telephone  (206)
433-3200).

    In 1993 Alaska  carried 6.4  million passengers.  In each  year since  1973,
Alaska has carried more passengers between Alaska and the U.S. mainland than any
other  airline. Passenger traffic in the intra-Alaska markets and between Alaska
and the U.S.  mainland accounted  for 29%  of Alaska's  total revenue  passenger
miles  during 1993, while  west coast traffic  accounted for 59%  and the Mexico
markets 12%.  Based on  passenger enplanements,  Alaska's leading  airports  are
Seattle,  Portland, Anchorage  and Los Angeles.  Based on  revenues, the leading
nonstop routes  were  Seattle-Anchorage,  Seattle-Los  Angeles  and  Seattle-San
Francisco.  Alaska's operating  fleet at December  31, 1993 consisted  of 66 jet
aircraft.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

    Unless otherwise indicated  in the accompanying  Prospectus Supplement,  the
net  proceeds to  Air Group  from the  sale of  the Convertible  Debt Securities
offered hereby will be  added to the  working capital of Air  Group and will  be
available  for general corporate  purposes, among which may  be the repayment of
outstanding indebtedness and  financing of  capital expenditures  by Alaska  and
Horizon, including the acquisition of aircraft and related equipment.

                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

    The  following table sets forth  the ratio of earnings  to fixed charges for
Air Group  for  the  periods  indicated.  Earnings  represents  earnings  before
accounting  change,  income tax  expense and  fixed charges  (excluding interest
capitalized). Fixed  charges  consist of  interest  and the  portion  of  rental
expense deemed representative of the interest factor.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                            -----------------------------------------------------
                                                              1993       1992       1991       1990       1989
                                                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Ratio.....................................................     (a)        (a)          1.10       1.32       2.30
<FN>
- ------------------------
(a)   For  the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1992, Air Group's earnings were
      inadequate to cover  fixed charges  by $46.3 million  and $131.8  million,
      respectively.
</TABLE>

                   DESCRIPTION OF CONVERTIBLE DEBT SECURITIES

    The  Convertible Senior Debt Securities are  to be issued under an Indenture
between Air Group and a Trustee  (the "Convertible Senior Debt Indenture").  The
Convertible  Subordinated Debt  Securities are to  be issued  under an Indenture
between Air Group and a Trustee (the "Convertible Subordinated Debt Indenture").
The  Convertible   Senior  Debt   Securities  Indenture   and  the   Convertible
Subordinated  Debt Securities Indenture  are referred to  herein individually as
the "Indenture" and collectively as the  "Indentures." A copy of each  Indenture
is  filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Information regarding the
Trustee will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

    The Convertible Debt Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus will  be
limited  to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount  (or such greater amount, if
Convertible Debt Securities are issued at  an original issue discount, as  shall
result  in  aggregate proceeds  of $200,000,000  to  Air Group).  The statements
herein relating  to  the Convertible  Debt  Securities and  the  Indentures  are
summaries  and are  subject to  the detailed  provisions of  the Indentures. The
following summaries of certain provisions of the Indentures do not purport to be
complete and are subject  to, and are qualified  in their entirety by  reference
to, all the provisions of the

                                       3
<PAGE>
Indentures,  including the definitions  therein of certain  terms capitalized in
this Prospectus. Whenever particular Sections or defined terms of the Indentures
are referred to herein or in  a Prospectus Supplement, such Sections or  defined
terms are incorporated herein or therein by reference.

GENERAL

    The  Indentures do not  limit the aggregate  principal amount of Convertible
Debt Securities which may be issued thereunder and provide that Convertible Debt
Securities may  be  issued  from  time  to time  in  one  or  more  series.  The
Convertible   Senior  Debt  Securities  will  be  unsecured  and  unsubordinated
obligations of Air Group and will rank on a parity with all other unsecured  and
unsubordinated  indebtedness  of Air  Group.  The Convertible  Subordinated Debt
Securities will be unsecured  obligations of Air Group  and, as set forth  below
under  "Subordination of Convertible  Debt Securities," will  be subordinated in
right of payment to  all Senior Indebtedness. The  Indenture does not limit  Air
Group's  right to incur additional Senior Indebtedness. As of December 31, 1993,
Senior  Indebtedness  of   Air  Group   on  a   consolidated  basis   aggregated
approximately $308,700,000.

    Reference  is  made  to  the Prospectus  Supplement  which  accompanies this
Prospectus for  a  description  of  the  specific  series  of  Convertible  Debt
Securities  being offered  thereby, including:  (1) the  specific designation of
such Convertible Debt  Securities; (2)  any limit upon  the aggregate  principal
amount  of such Convertible Debt Securities; (3)  the date or dates on which the
principal of  such Convertible  Debt Securities  will mature  or the  method  of
determining  such date or  dates; (4) the rate  or rates (which  may be fixed or
variable) at which such Convertible Debt Securities will bear interest, if  any,
or  the method  of calculating such  rate or rates;  (5) the date  or dates from
which interest, if any, will  accrue or the method by  which such date or  dates
will  be determined; (6)  the date or dates  on which interest,  if any, will be
payable and the record  date or dates  therefor; (7) the  place or places  where
principal  of, premium, if any,  and interest, if any,  on such Convertible Debt
Securities will be payable; (8) the period or periods within which, the price or
prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such Convertible  Debt
Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of Air Group; (9)
the obligation, if any, of Air Group to redeem or purchase such Convertible Debt
Securities  pursuant  to  any sinking  fund  or analogous  provisions,  upon the
happening of a  specified event or  at the option  of a holder  thereof and  the
period  or periods within which, the price or  prices at which and the terms and
conditions upon which,  such Convertible  Debt Securities shall  be redeemed  or
purchased,  in  whole  or  in  part,  pursuant  to  such  obligations;  (10) the
denominations in which  such Convertible  Debt Securities are  authorized to  be
issued;  (11) the terms  and conditions upon which  conversion will be effected,
including the  conversion  price, the  conversion  period and  other  conversion
provisions  in addition to  or in lieu  of those described  below; (12) if other
than the principal amount thereof, the  portion of the principal amount of  such
Convertible  Debt  Securities  which will  be  payable upon  declaration  of the
acceleration of the maturity thereof or  the method by which such portion  shall
be determined; (13) the person to whom any interest on any such Convertible Debt
Security  shall  be  payable  if  other  than  the  person  in  whose  name such
Convertible Debt Security is registered on the applicable record date; (14)  any
addition  to,  or  modification  or  deletion  of,  any  Event  of  Default  (as
hereinafter defined) or  any covenant of  Air Group specified  in the  Indenture
with  respect to such Convertible Debt Securities; (15) the application, if any,
of such means of  covenant defeasance as may  be specified for such  Convertible
Debt  Securities;  (16) if  applicable, provisions  related  to the  issuance of
Convertible Debt  Securities  in book  entry  form;  (17) any  addition  to,  or
modification  or  deletion of,  any provision  of the  Indenture related  to the
subordination of such Convertible  Debt Securities; and  (18) any other  special
terms pertaining to such Convertible Debt Securities. Unless otherwise specified
in  the applicable Prospectus  Supplement, the Convertible  Debt Securities will
not be listed on any securities exchange. (Section 3.1 of the Indentures.)

    Unless  otherwise  specified  in   the  applicable  Prospectus   Supplement,
Convertible  Debt Securities  will be  issued in  fully registered  form without
coupons. Where Convertible Debt  Securities of any series  are issued in  bearer
form,  the special  restrictions and considerations,  including special offering
restrictions and special  federal income tax  considerations, applicable to  any
such  Convertible Debt Securities and to payment on and transfer and exchange of
such Convertible Debt Securities will be described in the applicable  Prospectus
Supplement.

                                       4
<PAGE>
    Convertible  Debt Securities  may be  sold at  a substantial  discount below
their stated principal amount, bearing no  interest or interest at a rate  which
at  the  time of  issuance is  below  market rates.  Certain federal  income tax
consequences and special considerations applicable to any such Convertible  Debt
Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

    The  general  provisions of  the  Indentures do  not  afford holders  of the
Convertible Debt Securities  protection in the  event of a  highly leveraged  or
other  transaction  involving  Air Group  or  Alaska that  may  adversely affect
holders of  Convertible  Debt  Securities. Any  covenants  or  other  provisions
included  in a supplement or  amendment to any Indenture  for the benefit of the
holders of  any  particular  series  of  Convertible  Debt  Securities  will  be
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

PAYMENT, REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

    Unless  otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payments
in respect of  the Convertible Debt  Securities will  be made at  the office  or
agency of Air Group maintained for that purpose, as Air Group may designate from
time  to time, except  that, at the  option of Air  Group, interest payments, if
any, on Convertible Debt Securities in registered form may be made by (i) checks
mailed by the  Trustee to the  holders of Convertible  Debt Securities  entitled
thereto  at  their registered  addresses  or (ii)  wire  transfer to  an account
maintained by  the  Person  entitled  thereto  as  specified  in  the  Register.
(Sections  3.7  and 9.2  of the  Indentures.) Unless  otherwise indicated  in an
applicable Prospectus  Supplement, payment  of any  installment of  interest  on
Convertible  Debt Securities in  registered form will  be made to  the Person in
whose name such Convertible Debt Security is registered at the close of business
on the regular record date for such interest. (Section 3.7 of the Indentures.)

    Unless  otherwise  provided   in  the   applicable  Prospectus   Supplement,
Convertible   Debt  Securities  in  registered  form  will  be  transferable  or
exchangeable at  the  agency  of  Air  Group  maintained  for  such  purpose  as
designated  by  Air  Group from  time  to time.  (Sections  3.5 and  9.2  of the
Indentures.) Convertible Debt Securities may be transferred or exchanged without
service change,  other than  any tax  or other  governmental charge  imposed  in
connection therewith. (Section 3.5 of the Indentures.)

CONVERSION RIGHTS

    The terms on which Convertible Debt Securities of any series are convertible
into  Common  Stock will  be  set forth  in  the Prospectus  Supplement relating
thereto. Such  terms  shall  include  provisions as  to  whether  conversion  is
mandatory,  at the option of the holder, or  at the option of Air Group, and may
include provisions in which the number of shares of Common Stock to be  received
by  the holders of Convertible Debt  Securities would be calculated according to
the market  price  of  Common Stock  as  of  a time  stated  in  the  Prospectus
Supplement.

SUBORDINATION OF CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

    Unless  otherwise  provided  in the  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement, the
obligation of Air  Group to make  payment on  account of the  principal of,  and
premium,  if any, and interest on  Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities will
be subordinated and junior in right of payment, as set forth in the  Convertible
Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture and described below, to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Indebtedness.

    "Senior  Indebtedness"  means  all  Indebtedness of  Air  Group  unless such
Indebtedness, by its terms or the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing
it, is subordinate in  right of payment  to or PARI  PASSU with the  Convertible
Subordinated  Debt Securities. (Section 1.1 of the Convertible Subordinated Debt
Securities Indenture.) Air  Group's 7  1/4% Convertible  Subordinated Notes  Due
2006, 7 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due 2010 and 6 7/8% Convertible
Subordinated   Debentures  Due  2014  do  not  constitute  Senior  Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness," when used with respect to Air Group, means, without duplication,
the principal  of,  and  premium,  if  any,  and  accrued  and  unpaid  interest
(including  post-petition interest) on  (i) indebtedness of  Air Group for money
borrowed, (ii) Indebtedness guarantees  by Air Group  of indebtedness for  money
borrowed  by  any other  person, (iii)  indebtedness of  Air Group  evidenced by
notes, debentures, bonds  or other  instruments of indebtedness  for payment  of
which  Air  Group  is  responsible  or  liable,  by  Indebtedness  guarantees or
otherwise, (iv) obligations for the reimbursement  of any obligor on any  letter
of

                                       5
<PAGE>
credit,  bankers' acceptance or  similar credit transaction,  (v) obligations of
Air Group under  Capital Leases  and Flight Equipment  leases, (vi)  obligations
under  interest rate and currency swaps, caps, collars, options, forward or spot
contracts or similar arrangements  or with respect  to foreign currency  hedges,
and (vii) commitment and other bank financing fees under contractual obligations
associated  with  bank  debt;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER,  that  Indebtedness  shall not
include amounts owed  to trade  creditors in  the ordinary  course of  business.
(Section 1.1 of the Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities Indenture.)

    No  payment on account of principal of,  or premium, if any, or interest on,
the Convertible  Subordinated Debt  Securities may  be made  if (i)  any  Senior
Indebtedness  is  not  paid  when  due  or  (ii)  the  maturity  of  any  Senior
Indebtedness is accelerated unless, in either  case, (a) such failure to pay  or
acceleration relates to such Senior Indebtedness in an aggregate amount equal to
less than $25 million, (b) the default has been cured or waived or has ceased to
exist, (c) such acceleration has been rescinded, or (d) such Senior Indebtedness
has  been paid  in full.  During the  continuance of  any default  (other than a
default described in the preceding sentence) on Senior Indebtedness pursuant  to
which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately (I.E., without further
notice and after the expiration of any applicable grace periods) and upon notice
by  holders of at least $25 million of  Senior Indebtedness to Air Group and the
Trustee (a "Payment Notice"),  Air Group may not  make any payments (a  "Payment
Block")  on the  Convertible Subordinated  Debt Securities  until 120  days have
elapsed following the receipt of such  Payment Notice. After 120 days Air  Group
may resume payment on the Convertible Subordinate Debt Securities unless payment
is  prohibited by the first sentence of this paragraph. No more than one Payment
Notice is permitted for any one default on Senior Indebtedness (which shall  not
bar  subsequent Payment Notices for other  such defaults). All events of default
on Senior Indebtedness occurring within a 30-day period shall be treated as  one
event  of  default on  such Senior  Indebtedness for  purposes of  the preceding
sentence. No more  than two  Payment Blocks  are permitted  within any  12-month
period.  Except as provided in the next paragraph, a failure to make any payment
with respect to the Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities as a result of  the
foregoing  provisions will not limit the right of the holders of the Convertible
Subordinated Debt Securities to accelerate the  maturity thereof as a result  of
such  payment  default.  (Section  13.2  of  the  Convertible  Subordinated Debt
Securities Indenture.)

    Upon any distribution of the assets of Air Group upon any dissolution, total
or partial liquidation or  reorganization of or  similar proceeding relating  to
Air  Group,  the holders  of  Senior Indebtedness  will  be entitled  to receive
payment in  full  before  the  holders  of  the  Convertible  Subordinated  Debt
Securities  are entitled to receive any payment.  Upon any Event of Default with
respect to the Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities, the Trustee or  holders
of  25% of the Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities must give notice of such
Event of Default  and the intention  to accelerate  to Air Group  and any  other
holders of Senior Indebtedness which have theretofore requested such notice, and
such  acceleration shall  not become  effective unless  and until  such Event of
Default is continuing on the 60th day after the date of delivery of such  notice
of intention to accelerate; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Convertible Subordinated
Debt  Securities shall  become immediately  due and  payable upon  notice in the
event of  a  bankruptcy  or  insolvency  of Air  Group.  (Section  13.3  of  the
Convertible   Subordinated  Debt  Securities  Indenture.)   By  reason  of  such
subordination, in  the event  of  insolvency, creditors  of  Air Group  who  are
holders  of Senior Indebtedness  or of other  unsubordinated Indebtedness of Air
Group  may  recover  more,  ratably,   than  the  holders  of  the   Convertible
Subordinated Debt Securities.

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE BY THE ISSUER

    The  Indentures  provides that  Air Group  may, without  the consent  of the
holders of Convertible Debt  Securities, merge or consolidate  with or into  any
other  corporation  or sell,  convey, transfer  or otherwise  dispose of  all or
substantially all of its assets to any  person, firm or corporation, if (i)  (a)
in the case of a merger or consolidation, Air Group is the surviving corporation
or  (b) in  the case of  a merger  or consolidation where  Air Group  is not the
surviving corporation  and in  the case  of  such a  sale, conveyance  or  other
disposition,  the successor or acquiring  corporation is a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the  United States of America or a State  thereof
and  such  corporation  expressly  assumes  by  supplemental  indenture  all the
obligations of Air Group under the  Convertible Debt Securities and any  coupons
appertaining thereto and under the Indentures, and (ii) immediately after giving
effect to such merger or

                                       6
<PAGE>
consolidation,  or  such sale,  conveyance,  transfer or  other  disposition, no
Default (as hereinafter defined) or Event of Default shall have occurred and  be
continuing.  In the event a successor corporation assumes the obligations of Air
Group, such successor corporation  shall succeed to and  be substituted for  Air
Group  under the  Indentures and under  the Convertible Debt  Securities and any
coupons appertaining thereto and all  obligations of Air Group shall  terminate.
(Section 7.1 of the Indentures.)

EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND CERTAIN RIGHTS ON DEFAULT

    The Indentures provide that, if an Event of Default specified therein occurs
with  respect to the Convertible Debt Securities of any series issued thereunder
and is  continuing,  the Trustee  for  such series  or  the holders  of  25%  in
aggregate principal amount of all of the outstanding Convertible Debt Securities
of  that series,  by written notice  to Air Group  (and to the  Trustee for such
series, if notice is given by such holders of Convertible Debt Securities),  may
declare the principal (or, if the Convertible Debt Securities of that series are
original  issue discount Convertible Debt Securities or indexed Convertible Debt
Securities, such portion  of the  principal amount specified  in the  Prospectus
Supplement)  of all the Convertible Debt Securities of that series to be due and
payable, subject in the case of Convertible Subordinated Debt Securities to  the
60  day  prior  notice  requirement  described  above  under  "Subordination  of
Convertible  Subordinated  Debt  Securities,"  PROVIDED  that  Convertible  Debt
Securities  shall become immediately due and payable without prior notice upon a
bankruptcy or insolvency of Air Group. (Section 5.2 of the Indentures.)

    "Events of  Default" with  respect  to Convertible  Debt Securities  of  any
series  issued thereunder are defined in the Indentures as being: default for 30
days in payment of any interest on any Convertible Debt Security of that  series
or any coupon appertaining thereto or any additional amount payable with respect
to  Convertible Debt  Securities of such  series as specified  in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement when due;  default for ten days  in payment of  principal,
premium,  if any, or on redemption or otherwise, or in the making of a mandatory
sinking fund payment of any Convertible Debt Securities of that series when due;
default for 60 days after notice to Air Group by the Trustee for such series, or
by the holders  of 25%  in aggregate principal  amount of  the Convertible  Debt
Securities  of such  series then  outstanding, in  the performance  of any other
agreement in the Convertible Debt Securities  of that series, in the  Indentures
or  in any supplemental indenture or  board resolution referred to therein under
which the  Convertible Debt  Securities of  that series  may have  been  issued;
default  resulting  in  acceleration  of other  indebtedness  of  Air  Group for
borrowed money where the aggregate  principal amount so accelerated exceeds  $25
million and such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled within ten days after
the  written notice thereof to Air Group by  the Trustee or to Air Group and the
Trustee by the holders of 25%  in aggregate principal amount of the  Convertible
Debt  Securities of  such series then  outstanding, PROVIDED that  such Event of
Default will be cured or waived if the default that resulted in the acceleration
of such other indebtedness is cured or waived; and certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or  reorganization of  Air Group.  (Section 5.1  of the  Indentures.)
Events  of  Default  with respect  to  a  specified series  of  Convertible Debt
Securities may be added to the Indenture  under which the series is issued  and,
if  so  added,  will  be  described  in  the  applicable  Prospectus Supplement.
(Sections 3.1 and 5.1(7) of the Indentures.)

    The Indentures provide that the Trustee  for any series of Convertible  Debt
Securities  shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a Default with respect
to Convertible  Debt  Securities of  that  series, give  to  the holder  of  the
Convertible  Debt Securities of that series notice of all uncured Defaults known
to it,  PROVIDED  that,  except  in  the case  of  default  in  payment  on  the
Convertible  Debt Securities of that series, the Trustee may withhold the notice
if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers (as described therein)
in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interest of  the
holders  of the Convertible Debt Securities of  that series. (Section 6.6 of the
Indentures.) "Default" means any event which is, or, after notice or passage  of
time or both, would be, an Event of Default. (Section 1.1 of the Indentures.)

    The Indentures provide that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount  of the  Convertible Debt Securities  of each series  affected (with each
such series  voting  as a  class)  may direct  the  time, method  and  place  of
conducting  any  proceeding for  any remedy  available to  the Trustee  for such
series, or exercising any trust or power conferred on such Trustee. (Section 5.8
of the Indentures.)

                                       7
<PAGE>
    The Indenture includes a covenant that Air Group will file annually with the
Trustee a  certificate as  to Air  Group's compliance  with all  conditions  and
covenants of the applicable Indenture. (Section 9.7 of the Indentures.)

    The  holders of a  majority in aggregate  principal amount of  any series of
Convertible Debt Securities by notice to the Trustee for such series may  waive,
on  behalf of the holders of all Convertible Debt Securities of such series, any
past  Default  or  Event  of  Default  with  respect  to  that  series  and  its
consequences  except  a  Default or  Event  of  Default in  the  payment  of the
principal of, premium,  if any,  or interest, if  any, on  any Convertible  Debt
Security and certain other defaults. (Section 5.7 of the Indentures.)

MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES

    The  Indenture contains provisions  permitting Air Group  and the Trustee to
enter into  one or  more  supplemental indentures  without  the consent  of  the
holders  of any of the Convertible Debt  Securities in order (i) to evidence the
succession of  another  corporation to  Air  Group  and the  assumption  of  the
covenants of Air Group by a successor to Air Group; (ii) to add to the covenants
of  Air  Group or  surrender  any right  or  power of  Air  Group; (iii)  to add
additional Events of Default with respect to  any series; (iv) to add or  change
any  provisions to such extent as necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance
of Convertible  Debt  Securities  in bearer  form;  (v)  to add  to,  change  or
eliminate  any provision affecting  Convertible Debt Securities  not yet issued;
(vi) to secure the Convertible Debt  Securities; (vii) to establish the form  or
terms  of  Convertible  Debt  Securities; (viii)  to  evidence  and  provide for
successor Trustees; (ix) if  allowed without penalty  under applicable laws  and
regulations,  to permit  payment in  respect of  Convertible Debt  Securities in
bearer form in the United States; (x) to correct or supplement any  inconsistent
provisions  or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions
arising under  the Indentures,  PROVIDED  that such  action does  not  adversely
affect  the interests of any holder of Convertible Debt Securities of any series
issued under  such Indentures;  or (xi)  to cure  any ambiguity  or correct  any
mistake. (Section 8.1 of the Indentures.)

    The Indenture also contains provisions permitting Air Group and the Trustee,
with  the consent of the holders of  a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding  Convertible Debt  Securities of  each series  affected by  such
supplemental indenture, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions
to  or changing  or eliminating any  of the  provisions of the  Indenture or any
supplemental indenture or  modifying the  rights of the  holders of  Convertible
Debt  Securities of such series, except that no such supplemental Indenture may,
without the consent of the holder of each Convertible Debt Security so affected;
(i) change the time for payment of principal or interest on any Convertible Debt
Security; (ii) reduce the principal of,  or any installment of principal of,  or
interest  on any Convertible Debt Security;  (iii) reduce the amount of premium,
if any,  payable upon  the redemption  of any  Convertible Debt  Security;  (iv)
reduce  the amount of principal payable upon  acceleration of the maturity of an
Original Issue  Discount Convertible  Debt  Security; (v)  impair the  right  to
institute  suit for  the enforcement of  any payment  on or with  respect to any
Convertible Debt Security; (vi) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the
outstanding Convertible  Debt Securities  of  any series  the consent  of  whose
holders is required for modification or amendment of the Indenture or for waiver
of compliance with certain provisions of the Indentures or for waiver of certain
defaults;  (vii) change  the obligation  of Air Group  to maintain  an office or
agency in the places and for the purposes specified in the Indentures; or (viii)
modify the  provisions relating  to waiver  of certain  defaults or  any of  the
foregoing provisions. (Section 8.2 of the Indentures.)

COVENANT DEFEASANCE

    If  indicated  in  the Prospectus  Supplement,  Air  Group may  elect  to be
released from its obligations  with respect to  certain covenants applicable  to
the Convertible Debt Securities of or within any series ("covenant defeasance"),
upon the deposit with the Trustee for such series (or other qualifying trustee),
in  trust for such purpose, of money and/or Government Obligations which through
the payment  of principal  and  interest in  accordance  with their  terms  will
provide  money in the amount sufficient to  pay the principal of and any premium
or interest on such  Convertible Debt Securities to  Maturity or redemption,  as
the  case may be, and  any mandatory sinking fund  or analogous payment thereon.
Upon the occurrence of  a covenant defeasance, Air  Group will be released  only
from  its  obligations  to  comply  with  certain  covenants  contained  in  the

                                       8
<PAGE>
Indenture relating  to such  Convertible Debt  Securities, will  continue to  be
obligated  in all other respects under such Convertible Debt Securities and will
continue to be  contingently liable with  respect to the  payment of  principal,
interest,  if any, and  premium, if any,  with respect to  such Convertible Debt
Securities.

    Unless otherwise  specified  in  the applicable  Prospectus  Supplement  and
except as described below, the conditions to covenant defeasance are as follows:
(i)  such covenant defeasance  must not result  in a breach  or violation of, or
constitute a Default or Event of Default  under, the Indentures, or result in  a
breach  or  violation of,  or  constitute a  default  under, any  other material
agreement or instrument of Air  Group; (ii) certain bankruptcy related  Defaults
or  Events of Default  with respect to Air  Group must not  have occurred and be
continuing during the period commencing on the date of the deposit of the  trust
funds  to covenant  defease such Convertible  Debt Securities and  ending on the
91st day after such date; (iii) Air Group must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion
of Counsel to the  effect that the holders  of such Convertible Debt  Securities
will  not recognize income,  gain or loss  for federal income  tax purposes as a
result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax  on
the  same amounts and in the same manner and at all the same times as would have
been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred; (iv) Air Group  must
deliver  to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate  and an Opinion of Counsel with
respect to compliance with the conditions precedent to such covenant defeasance;
and (v)  any additional  conditions to  such covenant  defeasance which  may  be
imposed  on Air Group pursuant to the Indentures. (Article 4 of the Indentures.)
The Indenture requires that a  nationally recognized firm of independent  public
accountants deliver to the Trustee a written certification as to the sufficiency
of  the trust  funds deposited for  the covenant defeasance  of such Convertible
Debt Securities. The Indenture does not provide the holders of such  Convertible
Debt  Securities with  recourse against  such firm.  As described  above, in the
event of  a covenant  defeasance,  Air Group  remains contingently  liable  with
respect to the payment of principal, interest, if any, and premium, if any, with
respect to the Convertible Debt Securities.

    If  Air  Group exercises  its covenant  defeasance  option, payment  of such
Convertible Debt Securities may not be accelerated by reason of a Default or  an
Event of Default with respect to the covenants to which such covenant defeasance
is applicable. However, if such acceleration were to occur, the realizable value
at  the  acceleration  date  of  the money  and  Government  Obligations  in the
defeasance trust could be less than the principal and interest then due on  such
Convertible  Debt Securities,  in that  the required  deposit in  the defeasance
trust is based  upon scheduled cash  flow rather than  market value, which  will
vary depending upon interest rates and other factors.

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

    Air  Group is authorized  to issue 30,000,000 shares  of Common Stock, $1.00
par value, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

    VOTING RIGHTS.   Each holder of  Common Stock  is entitled to  one vote  per
share  on all matters submitted to a vote of such class. Holders of Common Stock
do not have cumulative rights. The  Board of Directors is classified into  three
classes,  with three or four Directors elected  each year to three-year terms. A
vote of three-fourths of the  shares present at a  meeting is required to  elect
each  nominee as a Director  and to approve any  other matter brought before the
stockholders for a vote.

    DIVIDEND RIGHTS.  Holders  of Common Stock share  ratably in dividends  that
may  be  declared by  the  Board of  Directors  out of  funds  legally available
therefor.

    LIQUIDATION RIGHTS.   Upon  any liquidation  of Air  Group, the  holders  of
Common  Stock  are entitled  to share  ratably in  the net  assets of  Air Group
available for distribution on the Common Stock.

    OTHER.  The Common  Stock has no preemptive  or conversion rights and  there
are  no redemption provisions applicable thereto.  The Common Stock is listed on
the New York Stock  Exchange and the Pacific  Stock Exchange. The registrar  and
transfer agent for the Common Stock is The First National Bank of Boston.

    POTENTIAL  RIGHTS  OF PREFERRED  STOCK.   Under  Air Group's  Certificate of
Incorporation, the Board  of Directors has  authority to issue  up to  5,000,000
shares of preferred stock. Such shares would have such

                                       9
<PAGE>
voting, dividend, liquidation, conversion, redemption and other rights as may be
determined  by  the  Board  of  Directors,  subject  to  the  provisions  of the
Certificate of Incorporation.  Shares of Common  Stock would be  subject to  the
preferences,  rights and  powers of  any such shares  of preferred  stock as set
forth in  Air  Group's  Certificate  of Incorporation  and  in  the  resolutions
establishing  one  or more  series of  preferred stock.  No preferred  stock was
outstanding at the date of this Prospectus.

    CERTAIN OTHER PROVISIONS.  Air Group's Certificate of Incorporation contains
certain provisions sometimes referred to  as "anti-takeover" provisions. In  the
event  that Air Group at any time has a stockholder who is a beneficial owner of
more than 15% of the voting power  of Air Group, these provisions would  require
the  affirmative vote  of the holders  of not  less than 80%  of the outstanding
shares of voting stock to  approve a consolidation or  merger of Air Group  with
any  other corporation, the conveyance to any corporation or other person or any
other disposition of  all or  substantially all of  Air Group's  assets, or  the
disposition  by Air Group of all or substantially  all of the stock or assets of
any major subsidiary; provided, however,  that this 80% voting requirement  does
not apply to a transaction which is approved by 80% of the disinterested members
of the Board of Directors.

    Air  Group is  party to  a Rights  Agreement designed  to deter  partial and
two-tier tender offers, stock accumulation  programs and other coercive  tactics
that  might be used  to gain control  without giving the  Board of Directors the
opportunity to negotiate on behalf of  the stockholders. In accordance with  the
Rights  Agreement, one  right is  attached to  each share  of outstanding Common
Stock. A  holder of  a right  may, under  certain circumstances,  purchase at  a
discount  from market value either shares of a special class of voting preferred
stock of Air Group or shares of  capital stock of a corporate entity  attempting
to acquire Air Group or surviving a merger or consolidation with Air Group.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    Air  Group may sell Convertible Debt  Securities to one or more underwriters
for public offering and sale by them or may sell Convertible Debt Securities  to
investors  or other persons directly or  through agents. Any such underwriter or
agent involved in the offer and sale of the Convertible Debt Securities will  be
named in an applicable Prospectus Supplement.

    Underwriters  may offer and sell the  Convertible Debt Securities at a fixed
price or prices, which may be changed, or at prices related to prevailing market
prices or at negotiated prices. Air Group also may, from time to time, authorize
underwriters acting as Air Group's agents to offer and sell the Convertible Debt
Securities upon the terms and conditions as shall be set forth in any Prospectus
Supplement.  In  connection  with  the  sale  of  Convertible  Debt  Securities,
underwriters  may be deemed to have received  compensation from Air Group in the
form of underwriting discounts  or commission and  may also receive  commissions
from  purchasers of Convertible Debt Securities for  whom they may act as agent.
Underwriters may sell  Convertible Debt  Securities to or  through dealers,  and
such  dealers may receive compensation in  the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions (which may be changed  from
time to time) from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

    Any underwriting compensation paid by Air Group to underwriters or agents in
connection  with the offering of Convertible Debt Securities, and any discounts,
concessions or  commissions allowed  by underwriters  to participating  dealers,
will  be set forth in an applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers
and agents participating in the distribution of the Convertible Debt  Securities
may  be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by
them and  any  profit  realized  by  them on  resale  of  the  Convertible  Debt
Securities  may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the
Securities  Act.  Underwriters,  dealers  and  agents  may  be  entitled,  under
agreements  with Air Group,  to indemnification against  and contribution toward
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities  under the Securities Act,  and
to reimbursement by Air Group for certain expenses.

    Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, Air Group and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

                                       10
<PAGE>
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

    Unless  otherwise  indicated in  the  applicable Prospectus  Supplement, the
validity of the Convertible Debt Securities  offered hereby will be passed  upon
for Air Group by Perkins Coie, Seattle, Washington.

                                    EXPERTS

    The  financial  statements  and  schedules  of  Air  Group  incorporated  by
reference in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement have been audited
by Arthur Andersen & Co., independent public accountants, as indicated in  their
reports  with respect thereto, and are  incorporated herein in reliance upon the
authority of said  firm as  experts in accounting  and auditing  in giving  said
reports.

                                       11
<PAGE>
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<PAGE>
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    NO  DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL  HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR  TO  MAKE  ANY  REPRESENTATIONS OTHER  THAN  THOSE  CONTAINED  OR
INCORPORATED  BY REFERENCE  IN THIS PROSPECTUS  SUPPLEMENT OR  THE PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE  PROSPECTUS
AND,  IF GIVEN OR MADE,  SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS  MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY  THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER  THE
DELIVERY  OF THIS  PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT  AND THE  PROSPECTUS NOR  ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE  IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE  COMPANY SINCE THE DATE  HEREOF.
THIS  PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT  AND THE  PROSPECTUS DO  NOT CONSTITUTE  AN OFFER OR
SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY STATE IN  WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS  NOT
AUTHORIZED  OR IN  WHICH THE  PERSON MAKING  SUCH OFFER  OR SOLICITATION  IS NOT
QUALIFIED TO DO SO  OR TO ANYONE TO  WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL  TO MAKE SUCH OFFER  OR
SOLICITATION.

                               ------------------

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PAGE
                                                 ---------
<S>                                              <C>
Prospectus Supplement Summary..................        S-3
The Company....................................        S-6
Use of Proceeds................................        S-9
Capitalization.................................        S-9
Recent Operating Results and Developments......        S-9
Price Range of Common Stock....................       S-10
Selected Financial and Operating Data..........       S-11
Description of the Debentures..................       S-13
Underwriting...................................       S-18
Legal Opinions.................................       S-18
Experts........................................       S-18
</TABLE>

                                   PROSPECTUS

<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information.................          2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
 Reference............................          2
Air Group and Alaska..................          3
Use of Proceeds.......................          3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges....          3
Description of Convertible Debt
 Securities...........................          3
Description of Capital Stock..........          9
Plan of Distribution..................         10
Legal Opinions........................         11
Experts...............................         11
</TABLE>

   
                                  $115,000,000
    

   
                                     [LOGO]

                           6 1/2% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR
                              DEBENTURES DUE 2005
    
                              --------------------

                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

                              --------------------

                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
   
                                 JUNE 21, 1995
    

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