JFC Honest Airline Reviews — Alaska Airlines

If you follow airline news as obsessively as we do, you’ve probably noticed Alaska’s name popping up more often lately. They’ve been making some big moves in the last couple of years, including a merger with Hawaiian Airlines that expanded their Pacific network and provided access to more wide-body jets. Add some new Europe routes, and baby, you've got a stew going.

In the meantime, their domestic network has continued to grow steadily. Alaska’s fares typically sit somewhere between bare-bones airlines like Frontier and the big boys like Delta or American, occupying that “lower middle class” zone with United and JetBlue. That’s good news for budget-conscious flyers who prefer not to be treated like human cattle, but is Alaska’s juice worth the squeeze?

As a frequently broke traveler who just got back from a trip to Fairbanks, I’m the perfect man to answer that question. This review is based on some basic economy fares I stubbornly refused to upgrade (in any capacity), so consider this the absolute floor of the Alaska experience.

Flight & Aircraft Details

1. AS758 — San Francisco (SFO) to Seattle (SEA) on a Boeing 737-900
2. AS374 — Seattle (SEA) to Fairbanks (FAI) on a Boeing 737-700
3. AS210 — Fairbanks (FAI) to Seattle (SEA) on a Boeing 737-900
4. AS680 — Seattle (SEA) to San Francisco (SFO) on a Boeing 737-800

I booked these tickets in Alaska’s “Saver” class, which is one of the more generous basic economy offerings out there. It’s nearly identical to their main cabin fares, the only major differences being auto-assigned seats and reduced miles for the reward program. The free carry-on was especially appreciated, since I'm used to flying out of SFO with stingier United.

General Facilities

As a grown man of grown-man size, the first thing I notice on any airplane is the legroom (or lack thereof). I’m thrilled to report that Alaska crushes the competition here, offering a solid extra inch of legroom over United’s basic economy seats. Sure, one inch might not seem like a lot when you take off, but you’ll definitely be feeling the difference by the time you land.

The same goes for the seats themselves, which are about an inch wider than United’s standard. That left the aisle feeling a little narrow, but it’s a sacrifice I’m more than willing to make.

Aside from the glorious surplus of breathing room, you're looking at typical basic economy fare. Two standard power sockets for every three seats, plus USB-C ports to charge your phone. Adjustable headrests, standard recline, Wi-Fi at $8 per flight (or free for T-Mobile customers). Nothing too out of the ordinary. 

Food

I didn’t want to pay for a meal since my flights were pretty short. However, on the early morning flight from Fairbanks to Seattle, I sat next to a gentleman who ordered a hearty-looking breakfast bowl. Thinking (as always) of our beloved Jack's subscribers, I asked him how it tasted. He paused, considered the question, and then replied, “You know, it’s actually not bad.” 

Take that review how you will.

On a personal note, I can confirm that the free snacks were terrific. I recommend going for the pretzels over the Biscoff cookies — when I close my eyes, I can almost still taste that Maui Monk flavor on my tongue. 10/10, well done, Alaska!

If you tend to get peckish on flights, you’ll want to order a meal ahead of time. Supplies were seemingly limited, and the attendants ran out of a few options on all four flights.

Entertainment

Sadly, this was a major disappointment. Despite being the first US airline to offer in-flight movies back in the day, Alaska has recently removed all the seatback screens from their main cabins, so you’re mostly on your own when it comes to entertainment. Oh, how the mighty have fallen!

It’s not all bad. You can access Alaska’s entertainment library from your own devices, but only if you’re a member of their rewards program (make sure you sign up before takeoff). There are little flip-out stands for phones and tablets on the backs of the seats, and the library itself is… fine. It’s hard not to be disappointed, though, especially since other low-cost airlines offer better options.

I mean, I watched The Wild One and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? on my last flight with United. Air France proudly includes Le Samouraï in their library. You could step it up a little, Alaska. Just sayin'.

My recommendation? Download some movies or shows before you get to the airport.

Staff and Service

Alaska’s service was pretty solid. The flight crew were polite and efficient, more or less what you’d expect from a major airline. When the woman sitting next to me managed to lose her credit card in the space between the window and the cabin interior (how???), they listened to her complaints with a patience that bordered on saintlike.

I’d also like to shout out the most crystal-clear gate announcements I’ve ever heard in my entire life. No loudspeaker crackling, no rambling, just plain information delivered with the flawless enunciation of a Juilliard grad. This was true for all four flights, so it’s clearly something Alaska emphasizes during employee training. Bravo, gate crew!

The only downsides were a couple of delayed flights, both out of Seattle. I’m inclined to blame the airport for that one, since Sea-Tac is a major hub for the Pacific Northwest and sometimes struggles to handle the sheer number of flights that pass through it. Unfortunately, it’s also Alaska's central hub, so there’s a solid chance you’ll have to take a layover there if you fly out west.

Overall Rating — 4/5

While the experience isn’t as nice as some pricier airlines, Alaska is a fantastic choice for travel on a budget. It’s priced to compete with United and JetBlue domestically, but you’re getting a lot of extra bang for your buck here, especially when it comes to comfort. Their basic economy fares are easily the most generous in their class, adding significantly to the value.

The lack of seat-back entertainment is the biggest downside to flying with Alaska, but that can be mitigated by bringing your own media (or a book!). You should also prepare for potential delays if you're going through Seattle.

TLDR

Service: No complaints in the air, and the gate crew was notably excellent.

Facilities: More comfortable than most domestic flights, no seatback screens though.

Food: Snacks were great, meals have a good reputation as well.

Timing: Flights out of Seattle are sometimes delayed, otherwise good.

Quality vs Price: Quality is nothing special, but offers great value considering the low fares.