Alaska Airlines offers the most frequencies of service to the state of Alaska from many departure cities in the United States. We would get the opportunity to fly Alaska Airlines First Class on their flagship service from Seattle to anchorage. We were treated to a great breakfast, world-class views along the way and a smooth arrival into Anchorage. Read on to see how our flight was and what you can expect flying this special route.

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This post is one chapter on a winter trip to Alaska, United States. This trip was enhanced through Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status, Alaska Mileage Plan and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards. For parts of the trip, please see this index.

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Review: Alaska Airlines First Class B737-9: Seattle Tacoma International Airport – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

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This flight was purchased through an Alaska Airlines Famous 2 for 1 Companion Fare. We purchased this flight in upgradable space and received an upgrade to First Class at the time of booking. We credited these flights to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

It marks a special occasion to take Alaska Airlines all the way to Alaska, on what is likely their flagship route. The Alaska Airlines First Class product is fairly familiar to us, and this would mark our twenty fourth journey in the Alaska Airlines First Class Cabin.

For the return flight, please see our review Alaska Airlines First Class: Anchorage – Seattle.

Connecting at Seattle:

We arrived in to the airport on Alaska Airlines First Class: Bellingham – Seattle. We had an early morning connection layover at the new American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle. Access to the Centurion Lounge was provided courtesy of the American Express Platinum Card.

We didn’t have access to the Alaska Lounge, since Alaska Airlines doesn’t offer access when flying on upgraded First Class tickets. As I’ve reviewed the new Centurion Lounge Seattle recently, I won’t be reviewing again this time around.

Our One World Emerald status wasn’t any help in getting us lounge access, as we were travelling domestically and didn’t qualify for International Lounge Access on this particular ticket.

Boarding Alaska Airlines:

After spending time at the American Express Centurion Lounge, we wandered over to the North Satellite. Our flight to Anchorage was departing from Gate N4, which was tucked right into the corner of the North Satellite.

There were heaps of flights departing for Anchorage from Seattle today. The flights were almost on an hourly basis, across Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines.

We joined the queue of people already lining up to board. There were heaps of Alaska Airlines elite fliers today, and as a result, the first boarding groups for Alaska Airlines First Class and Elites was probably in excess of thirty people.

MrsWT73 was on an economical theme when we booked these tickets. She had asked me to book premium economy and hope for an Alaska Airlines MVP Gold upgrade into “space available” first class. I didn’t fancy rolling the dice and preferred to book into a confirmed first class seat given that I’ve been travelling quite a bit for work.

I was really happy that I booked the more expensive upgradable ticket; the upgrade list for the Anchorage flight on this early morning departure numbered over 24 people. As their flagship route with so many Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite travellers, it made sense that the upgrade list would be long.

Alaska Airlines
First Class (U)
SEA – ANC (Seattle Tacoma International Airport – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport)
AS 59
March 23, 2024
Booked: Boeing 737-900
Flown: Boeing 737-900
Departure: 8:00 AM

Arrival: 10:43 AM

On Board Alaska Airlines First Class:

The Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 represents Alaska Airlines newest aircraft. Despite this, Alaska Airlines has outfitted these aircraft with their older puffy leather seating for its first class travellers, as opposed to more modern slim line seats.

It was pitch “blue” when we boarded the plane. It was darker inside the aircraft than it was in the terminal.

For the sake of understanding the Alaska Airlines First Class product, I’ve attached some photos of the Alaska Airlines First Class Cabin on a Boeing 737-9 from a recent Alaska Airlines Seattle – Kona flight.

These seats continue to be comfortable for relaxing in. At a three and a half hour flight from Seattle to Anchorage, the seats extend up to the limits of comfort. I find them just on the edge of comfort for the longer flights from the mainland to Hawaii, which are usually about five hours.

Every seat has a separate power port with a USB charging slot and a three-prong outlet. Unless you are a contortionist, it is a little difficult to see what you are connecting into because of its fairly awkward placement in the central console.

The table for the seat extended from the arm rest. This configuration is pretty typical for narrow body jets of this type.

There were three separate air nozzles for the seats. Having a personal air nozzle always makes the flight much more comfortable.

Pre-Departure Services:

It is never reliable on whether you actually get offered a pre-departure beverage on Alaska Airlines. In this case, we were offered a pre-departure beverage choice of water, orange juice, or coffee. We both ended up with water, which was served in a low rent disposable paper cup.

As we were seated and waiting for the rest of the plane to board, the pilot made an announcement of our flight time being three hours and eight minutes, with three hours and forty three minutes scheduled gate to gate.

I also watched ground crews stuff a large amount of sporting equipment into the plan. I watched about 20 pairs of skis and three large pedal bikes being stuffed into cargo. It was much more than on my usual flights to Denver Colorado or Salt Lake City Utah USA. This made me thankful that I was not crazy to think that I was going skiing in Alaska.

In Flight Entertainment:

Alaska Airlines offers in phone flight entertainment. This is accessed through the Alaska Airlines home page on the wifi sign in screen.

Alaska Airlines offers free messaging and texting, which is a nice addition for those that need to stay connected with friends and family.

There are a number of movies available online through the Alaska Wi-Fi. This is in addition to a low tech moving flight map.

Alaska Airlines has done away with the complimentary tablets previously offered in First Class on longer flights. If you don’t bring your own device, you’ll be without any video entertainment for the flight.

Departing Seattle:

We had a grey departure over Seattle with lots of cloud on the climb to altitude. We started on our climb to a 34,000 foot cruise altitude.

The Meal: A Breakfast

Once we had reached cruising altitude at about one hour and 10 minutes into the flight breakfast was served.

I have to give Alaska airlines credit here for offering a variety of breakfast options through their pre-order service on the Alaska airlines app. Alaska Airlines offered five different breakfast options, all of which looked scrumptious. This was in contrast to my usual Air Canada flights that always offer the same parsley omelet and the same French toast for the last 20 years.

Before my flight, I pre-ordered through the Alaska airlines app. In my experience Alaska airlines does run out of your preferred dish. As a result I always make the effort to pre-order.

The service started off with orange juice that was served in a proper, but smallish glass.

I ended up pre-ordering eggs and chicken chorizo. The dish was described as cage free scrambled eggs with pico de gallo, cotija cheese and cream spinach served with seared chicken chorizo sausage and baked her breakfast potatoes.

The eggs and chorizo dish was terrific. The eggs were soft and not over cooked unlike other airline carriers. The only critique I might have is a general critique of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan in that they are usually a little small for my tastes. I’d probably enjoy a larger portion if it was available.

After the meal, since I didn’t feel like holding up my device for several hours while I watched a movie, I turned in for a bit of a nap.

Views on the Way up to Alaska:

Well I didn’t know what to expect with “views from the wing” on our way up to Alaska, I figured that the views must be good considering cruise ships pass through the Alaskan Inside Passage on almost a daily basis for months at a time throughout the summer months. As a result, I elected to sit on the right hand side of the plane with a window seat in order to capture the best views.

The decision to sit on the right side of the plane was the right one. The views started passing Vancouver Island and started with soft coastal mountains peaked with snow.

As our flight started to get closer to Anchorage (within one hour of the end of the flight), the views started to get more and more spectacular. White snowy peaks fed glaciers running off into the ocean. With a clear blue sky as a background, it made for an excellent view from the Way.

The Second Service: A Snack Basket

Alaska Airlines provided a second service in the form of a small snack basket. I enjoyed a Lessor Evil The Original: Himalayan Pink Salt Popcorn, which was presented in a small 13g bag.

I didn’t expect too much for a second service on a three hour flight. However the snack basket popcorn was the smallest popcorn I think I’ve ever consumed.

Arriving into Anchorage:

After our three hour flight it was time to descend into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Hugging the Chugach Mountain Range, we had a descent into Anchorage followed by a sweeping right turn to lineup for the runway.

Before we started our final approach turn, we had a glimpse of Anchorage and its surrounding area. My first impression of Anchorage from the Air was that it was quite a large city and much larger than my visits to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada.

It was clear spotting towards the Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport.

As our flight descended in altitude, we got a closer look at the “”Alaskan break up”; the presence of snow and ice in the waters surrounding Anchorage. It was something I’d never really quite seen before and a strange appearance I’d never seen before.

We arrived into Ted Stevens anchorage international airport and parked at gate C4. As expected anchorage is an Alaska Airlines strong hold and there were many Alaska Airlines planes around the airport.

The Ted Stevens anchorage international airport was a much nicer airport than I was expecting. With a bright space, a tribute to Senator Ted Stevens, and a welcome home for our troops sign, we were welcomed into Alaska with grace.

We picked up our checked baggage, collected our Hertz rental car and headed off to the aLoft Anchorage before heading town to Girdwood.

Baggage service was prompt, and there was no need to use Alaska Airlines twenty minute baggage service guarantee.

My Thoughts on Alaska Airlines First Class:

Alaska airlines first class service to Anchorage was a special mile stone. It’s not every day you get to fly an airlines flagship route.

I made the right decision by getting an instantly upgradeable first class fare. Had a gambled on an upgrade at the gate, I likely would’ve been number 25 and 26 on the list.

The breakfast served on the board was solid, if not a touch small. The views coming up to Alaska were world class. I thoroughly enjoyed the views from the wing.

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If you travel on Alaska Airlines to Alaska, do you have any strategies on riding in First Class?

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