Alaska Airlines-First Class All The Way!
With all the cutbacks in major airline service and the discount airlines packing them in, it is a revelation to experience a domestic airline that puts the word "first" back into First Class! With only twelve first class seats, Alaska Airlines has upgraded their first class service and provides an impressive experience on long haul flights.
Alaska Airlines fleet of long-range Boeing 737s, have been extending their reach from the airline's Seattle hub across the country. The airline now offers trans-con flights to Boston, New York/Newark, Washington D.C. (Dulles and National), Orlando and Miami. Mid-range flights east from Seattle include service to Denver and Chicago with non-stop long hauls from both cities to Anchorage. The airline is about to begin its first ever expansion east from Los Angeles with non-stops to Washington National Airport. Let's hope they continue to expand from there!
The Airline's frequent Flyer "Mileage Plan" partners with American, Continental and Northwest, so you can still rack up miles with one of the these larger carriers while enjoying Alaska's First Class style!
What makes the difference?
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| Welcome Aboard |
First of all, the Flight Attendants on our flights were so friendly! Maybe it's because there are so few people up in Alaska that they genuinely enjoy meeting and welcoming new people onboard. Whatever the reason, with only 12 guests upfront and two attendants, the attention in First Class was enviable.
Dinner service was unexpectedly elaborate and rather inspired for dining on a domestic flight! To start, a Pear and Mesclun Salad was served with Maple walnuts and a light Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette. Main course choices included Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon grilled with a lime ginger sauce that was excellent or a flavorful Basil Pesto and Dijon Crusted Breast of Chicken served with a Green Peppercorn sauce and roasted sweet potatoes. Dessert was an absolutely divine deep-dish apple tart that could have been mistaken for home made and Alaska's own Denali brand ice cream is served on every Alaska Airlines flight. Also, every First Class menu offers a recipe and tips for grilling Alaskan Salmon (printed on the menu's back).
The wine cellar had some great California selections including an enjoyable chardonnay from Trinity Oaks that had a bright aroma of apples, citrus and honeysuckle and a crisp acidity with a touch of oak on the palate. A new selection of wines is chosen each month from vineyards found along the West Coast.
Everyone in First Class gets a copy of the Wall Street Journal and their on DVD player with a selection of no less than seven first run movies from which to choose. Unlike overhead video screen entertainment, you can actually stop the movie in midstream and stretch your legs... another nice Alaskan Airlines First Class touch.
I was also very impressed with the airline's commitment to serving passengers with disabilities. Kathy Garceau, the Modified Duty Coordinator at the Seattle airport for Alaska Airlines explained the airline's exceptional commitment to assist passengers with special needs. We also met Karla Martin, a Special Service Agent for Alaska Airlines based at Sea-Tac. Karla is one of eight permanent, specially trained agents in Seattle specifically designated to assist passengers with special needs.
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| Special Agent Karla Martin |
According to Ms.Garceau, "over two years ago we found an increasing number of employee injuries as a result of transferring disabled passengers on and off aircraft. Upon further investigation we also found some of our passengers were being inconvenienced and on occasion their equipment, primarily electric wheelchairs, were being damaged."
As a result, Alaska Airline's Passenger Service Assistant program was launched on February 23, 2003, to improve service to passengers with special needs and to upgrade staff training. A group of twenty employees took a two-day class taught by Occupational Therapists from a local hospital. They received training on the use of transfer belts, special tricks and tips, and general knowledge of various disabilities, i.e., paraplegic versus quadriplegic, symptoms of stroke and other disabilities.
This group of employees will continue with classes on specialty topics relating to passengers with special needs including the study of rules related to the American Disabilities Act, training on passenger assist lifts, recurrent training with Occupational Therapists and the mechanics of correctly dismantling electric wheelchair batteries. Eventually with the proper training of electric wheelchair dismantling and battery stowage, these agents will not only help passengers on and off the aircraft, but they will perform the task of safely stowing the equipment onboard as well.
So, if you, or someone important to you, have special needs, Alaska Airlines is well prepared to welcome you onboard regardless of what class of service you are traveling!
For more information about Alaska Airlines, log onto their web site at www.AlaskaAir.com
 
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