information from Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines is inviting school age children from across the state of Alaska to help paint a new plane, as part of its "Paint the Plane" sweepstakes. The Boeing 737-700 cargo jet will feature a special paint theme created by selected art from young Alaskans.

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade from public, private and home schools across the state have until Oct. 28 to submit artwork highlighting their favorite things about the 49th state. Alaska Airlines will use as many submissions as possible to create a special paint theme focused on the next generation of Alaskans and the Great Land. The cargo plane will primarily serve the state of Alaska.

"Alaska's young people have played an important role in our state's history," said Alaska Governor Bill Walker. "Our state flag was designed by a 13-year-old and our state ferries are named by Alaska students. Similarly, this sweepstakes gives children in grades K-12 the opportunity to show off their creativity, and share what they love most about Alaska. I encourage all Alaska students to take part in this exciting opportunity."

This is the second time Alaska Airlines has called on students in Alaska to help design a plane livery. The first was the "Spirit of Alaska Statehood," designed by Hannah Hamburg, then a 16-year-old Sitka high-school student. The plane with her drawing was introduced in 2009 to celebrate 50 years of statehood and was retired in June 2016.

"With the recent retirement of our last Alaska-themed livery we can't think of a better way to honor our connection to Alaska," said Marilyn Romano, Alaska Airlines' regional vice president for the state of Alaska. "Our goal is not just painting a plane, but to inspire Alaska students to show us, through art, why Alaska is such a special place to call home."

Students who submit artwork by the deadline will have a chance to win one of 10 prize packages consisting of either four roundtrip tickets anywhere Alaska Airlines flies, or a $1,000 scholarship to the University of Alaska.

Complete sweepstakes rules and entry forms are available at www.painttheplane.com. Entry forms will also be available at Alaska Airlines ticket counters in select terminals throughout the state of Alaska.

Paint the Plane sweepstakes schedule:

Oct. 12 – Sweepstakes begins for Alaska students
Oct. 28 – Entry forms must be postmarked and mailed
Dec. 2016 – Design is revealed and winners announced
Spring 2017 – Painted plane is unveiled
Alaska Airlines has painted other special liveries with help from the public, including the "Timbers Jet," supporting the Portland Timbers Major League Soccer team and the "Spirit of the Islands," designed in 2013 by a Honolulu high school student.

Alaska Airlines, together with its regional partners, flies 32 million customers a year to more than 110 cities with an average of 970 daily flights throughout the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico and soon Cuba. With Alaska's global airline partners, customers can earn and redeem miles to more than 800 destinations worldwide. Onboard, customers are invited to make the most of their flight with amenities like power outlets at every seat, streaming entertainment direct to their device, Wi-Fi and an inspired food and beverage selection featured on most flights. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study for nine consecutive years from 2008 to 2016. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan also ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs" in the J.D. Power Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report for the last three consecutive years. Alaska Airlines is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). Learn more on the airline's newsroom, blog, alaskaair.com, @AlaskaAir, facebook.com/alaskaairlines and linkedin.com/company/alaska-airlines.