Alaska Virtual is based on the operations of the Alaska Air Group and its regional affiliates. The Alaska Air Group consists of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, which are partners with Alaska-based commuter airlines Era Aviation and Peninsula Airways. The four together create one of the largest networks on the U.S. West Coast and in the state of Alaska

Alaska Airlines was founded in 1932 as McGee Airways, and first flew from Anchorage to Bristol Bay. The company's name was changed to Alaska Airlines in 1944. Several different local carriers were purchased during the airline's early years, and the carrier received authority to fly to the lower 48 states in 1951. A few years later, Alaska became the first U.S. airline to offer in-flight movie service. Prior to deregulation, Alaska served only Seattle in the lower 48 states, but took advantage of deregulation to expand heavily in West Coast cities. From 1991 to 1998, Alaska was the only U.S. airline offering service to Eastern Russia. Alaska became the launch customer for the 737-900 when it began operating the type in 2001.

Horizon Air was founded in 1981 to serve smaller communities that had lost service following airline deregulation, and was acquired by Alaska five years later. Era Aviation was founded as a helicopter company in 1948, and eventually diversified into a multipurpose aviation company, with sightseeing, helicopters, and a regional airline. Peninsula Airways (usually known as PenAir) was founded in 1955 by Orin Seybert.

Headquarters: Alaska - Seattle, WA, U.S.; Horizon - Seattle, WA, U.S.; Era - Anchorage, AK, U.S.; Peninsula - Anchorage, AK, U.S.
Virtual Airline Operating Since: August 2002
Unique Aircraft Types: 737-200C/400C, Cessna 208B, Fokker 28, Metro III
Number of Destinations: 126
Unique Destinations (48): Adak, Aniak, Atka, Barrow, Bethel, Cold Bay, Cordova, Dillingham, Dutch Harbor, Flagstaff, Gustavus, Homer, Iliamna, Kenai, Ketchikan, Khabarovsk, King Salmon, Klamath Falls, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Magadan, Mammoth Lakes, McGrath, Moses Lake, Nome, North Bend/Coos Bay, Pendleton, Petersburg, Petropavlovsk, Port Angeles, Prescott, Prudhoe Bay, Pullman, Redding, Sand Point, Seward, Sitka, St. George (AK), St. Mary's, St. Paul, Santa Rosa, Unalakleet, Valdez, Wenatchee, Wrangell, Yakutat, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Walla Walla