Alaskan Airlines

In the summer I want to fly from Seattle down to San Diego, and back. I know that there are lots of Seattle folks here - so I was hoping for some local knowledge to help me out.

On the dates I want the best flights (direct and cheapest) are with Alaskan? I have not flown with them before, are they OK as a carrier - in terms of baggage etc.

Thanks,

Alex

On the dates I want the best flights (direct and cheapest) are with Alaskan? I have not flown with them before, are they OK as a carrier - in terms of baggage etc.

Hi Alex,

I just took a flight on Alaskan Airlines a few weeks ago from Calfornia to Portland. The flight attendants were quite pleasant and were in sharp contrast to the flight attendants on the United Airlines flight I had just been on. The United flight attendant was quite b**chy and *yelled* at me for putting the wheels of the trolley (I use a Kata carryon with the removable trolley wheels which I purchased from Reef Photo and which was recommended by Ryan) in the overhead. Actually, she announced on the loudspeaker before flight departure "Will the passenger who put the wheels in the overhead please press their call button" and proceeded to chew me out for the heinous deed. On the Alaska flight immediately following the United flight, I specifically asked the attendant if it was OK to put the trolley wheels in the overhead. With a very pleasant smile, he explained to me how I should put it in the overhead to avoid any problems. They have very convenient schedules going up and down the West Coast from the Pacific Northwest to several airports in California. I will be taking them again this June when flying from Portland to John Wayne airport when I'll be diving Catalina Island.

I don't know if you actually have to be in San Diego or not, but the John Wayne Airport (in Long Beach) is a great airport to fly into. It's small and doesn't have the awful congestion and crowds that Los Angeles does. I was able to go directly from the United flight to the Alaskan flight in about two minute walk at the John Wayne airport.

I can't comment on the baggage, as mine actually travelled on an earlier United flight, a long story that I won't go into.

I wouldn't hesitate to use them as my airline carrier.

Hope that helps,

Ellen

Hi Alex,

I consider Alaska better than average for an airline. Service is good and I have never lost luggage. I cannot tell you they will be cheapest on any given date, but they are certainly competitive and I would be willing to pay a couple extra bucks for the better, more friendly service.

Hope that helps,

Steven Billings

Alaska also code-shares with American and others, so you might end up on one of their flights just by searching for the cheapest flight somewhere like Orbitz or Travelocity. I took an AK flight to Portland (thru John Wayne - agree very nice little airport, almost identical to Austin TX) over Xmas break, and found the luggage transfer from my AA starting flight was seamless. I was not carrying dive or photo gear, but did have a pretty big bag (almost 2 week visit).

Alex, if you are just going to San Diego from Seattle or round trip you can't beat Southwest Airlines as of this writing they still let you check THREE (yes, count 'em 3) pieces of 50 lb luggage in addition to your carryon item and personal item. Flying SW from Florida and their luggage allowance really helped me last drysuit trip I did to the Pac NW, then I just drove up to BC or down to Calif from there. Plus SW is the cheapest.....

Just my experience, they don't fly into every airport but Seattle to San Diego should be no problemo..... - Carol

PS - Of course I wouldn't suggest something I'm not doing myself - I'm taking SW for sure - flying into Spokane or Seattle, doin' the family thing, and then round and about! Can't beat that airline for around the states - my husband has flown thousands and thousands of miles on them.

Alex

As the others have said, Alaska is better than average but I've only taken it from LAX to SEA. And yes there Alaska and AA code share and we got caught doing AA instead which was not as nice as Alaska.

At Tacoma Airport, it takes a while to get bags, even for priority passengers. If I were you, I'd request for AA Advantage Platinum or Gold if you are an equivalent with BA. Doesn't hurt to ask, state that you want to fly AA but will not without the status because of your work etc. Then show your travel on BA. Worked with Krisflyer and Qantas for me It helps the luggage allowance and speed at which you get it.

Also you should know of this:)

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/352813_alaska27.html

Just adding a voice to the chorus... Given a choice, I will choose Alaska every time for travel up and down the west coast of the US. Since I'm in the Portland area, I use them often. Their customer service is very good.

Linda

And another "Alaskan is good" vote. Even their inflight magazine is worth reading Most of my flights out of Portland are on Alaskan, and they have always served me well.

Ditto. I've flown them for years up and down the coast and to Baja. They fly directly to San Diego and it's quite a nice, smaller airport, easy to get in and out from.

Not much more to go down to La Paz for some warm water diving!!

Jack

Have flown them a number of times. No problems. They don't weight your carryon. You get a luggage allotment of 2 bags of 50 LB each. Even if you fly to Mexico or Canada. However overweight charge is only 25$ per bag if the bags are under 70 lbs.

I have flown on Alaska air all over the west coast for about 15 years.You can save a few bucks on the (cattle car) airline southwerst or you can have a very comfortable non eventfull time with Alaska.

When you land in Seattle pm me and I will buy you a few NW beers if you want.

Enjoy your trip Alex.

I have flown 100's of thousands of miles with Alaska (not Alaskan) Airlines (two letter airline code is AS), which is not surprising since they have a virtual monopoly for flights to and from Alaska.

They have a rather new fleet of almost all 737's. Even second class seats are now leather with head rests. Row spacing is greater than AA and UA. Food is not what it used to be but so are all the rest. :glare:

They are partners with BA. I have used AS miles to fly on BA - possibly you can earn BA miles flying on AS, if this is important.

Have a good flight!

Tom

Oh, in Seattle if you use the curbside check and tip them a tenner, they usually "forget" overweight fees. That doesn't work at the counter as they are AS employees.

Jack

A wealth of information. Thanks all. The world really is a small place these days.

Alex