SEATTLE- April 1, 2002 -Alaska Airlines announced today that it has formally requested three flight slots to serve Long Beach this fall after a seven-year absence from the airport. If approved, Alaska would begin service September 8 with three flights to Seattle. Alaska's roots in Long Beach stretch back to 1982 when the carrier began service there. Alaska later acquired Long Beach-based Jet America in 1986, which merged with Alaska the following year. The carrier ceased service to Long Beach in 1995 after 13 years of service. Today, Alaska serves six destinations in Southern California -- Burbank, Los Angeles, Ontario, Orange County, Palm Springs and San Diego. Together with its regional affiliate, Horizon Air, the two airlines serve more than 80 destinations in Alaska, the West Coast and Mexico, as well as Chicago and Washington, D.C. Alaska boasts a quiet, all-Stage Three fleet of 102 modern jet aircraft, consisting of McDonnell Douglas MD-80s and Boeing 737s.