"The Joseph S. Murphy Award honors an individual or organization that makes the airline industry a better place," ATW Chief Editor Geoffrey Thomas said. "Alaska Airlines, through its numerous environmental and corporative giving initiatives, has benefited the people and communities in which it serves, as well as has brought credit to the industry as a whole." 

ATW editors noted Alaska Airlines' outstanding industry service record and leadership in technology and customer innovations. These include the airline's pioneering work on satellite-based navigation procedures that are part of the Federal Aviation Administration's NextGen air traffic control system, and the carrier's "Airport of the Future," a more efficient check-in process than the traditional ticket counter for travelers and airline workers. 

ATW also cited Alaska's employees, who volunteered more than 8,000 hours in their communities in 2010, as well as the airline's $5.6 million in corporate giving to such organizations as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Angel Flight West, Special Olympics, Shriners Hospital for Children and Business Opportunities for Leadership Diversity (BOLD). 

"We're honored and very proud to receive this award," Alaska Airlines President Brad Tilden said. "In addition to recognizing our airline's commitment to serving our communities and our own initiative for supporting worthy organizations, it also reflects directly on our employees' individual dedication to giving back. So many of our employees volunteer in their neighborhoods and we're proud to support that as part of our corporate mission."

Air Transport World awarded Alaska Airlines the magazine's Airline Technology Leadership Award in 2011 and in 2003. ATW also named Alaska its 1990 Airline of the Year and recognized the carrier with its Financial Management Award in 1989. The 2012 awards will be presented Feb. 13 in Singapore at the magazine's annual presentation gala. Air Transport World is the leading monthly magazine serving the airline and commercial aircraft manufacturing and support industries. Its awards program was launched in 1974.