Nothing mysterious about the funding. The government funds all kinds of these types of things. Alaska would be nothing without the airplane subsidies. All of the small towns are serviced by Alaska airlines because of those subsidies and any advertisement they can get is good for all of us. How else would you get to your favorite river in Alaska?

No question about the fact that A.A. helps the industry. Just wondering if the paint job would make a person have the urge to spend some cash at Pike Place for a taste king.

That fish has too many fins - should be thrown back when it's over WA waters....

It's a commercial plane no throwbacks for the commercials, just the sporties.

BigFin - I have no problem with the Federal government subsidizing flights to remote Alaskan villages and towns. Helping our fellow citizens with the basics (including transportation) is precisely what a subisidy is for. However, those planes can get into and out of those same Alaskan villages without a fancy, Federally subsidized paint job.

I think the only real benifactor here would be A.A. NOT the industry. Good move by A.A. can't blame them really.