 When the United States entered World War II in December 1941 , Alaska Airlines faced a shortage of pilots . During the war , the airline lacked funds and equipment , and pilots were often forced to buy fuel for their planes out of their own pockets . The company , which was frequently subjected to lawsuits , also went through many different presidents during this time . In 1943 , Alaska Airlines purchased the Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar , its first multi @-@ engine aircraft . That same year the company 's stock was traded for the very first time on the American Stock Exchange . 
