Flight Review: Today is a new airline for me! It’s Alaska airlines within Alaska on their 737-800 in First Class. It’s a pretty classic Alaska Airlines route, on a very common plane. I’m excited to check it out and review something new!
Alaska Airlines was previously a 737 only airline. They displayed the “Proudly All Boeing” logo on their fleet for years until they purchased Virgin America and their A321 Aircraft. Our flight tonight is an Alaska Boeing 737-800. First Class on the Alaska 737-800 is nothing super special, recliner style first class on a narrow body plane. Alaska does a good job on these short Intra-Alaska flights. Alaskan 737-800 service is good, the plane was comfortable, the flight was perfectly on time, and we really enjoyed ourselves.
Alaska airlines doesn’t cover where I live well at all. In fact, it’s pretty bad, but that makes sense, I live in South Carolina, Alaska airlines is based on Seattle and services the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Still, I’m very excited about this flight, anytime I can ride on and review a new airline I’m Happy.
Our Alaska Airlines 737-800 flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage is an evening flight that appears to be full of lots of regular travelers. While it may only be 300 miles, the drive takes more than 8 hours so flying is a common and popular occurrence. Alaska Airlines runs this flight 6-10 times per day, depending on the season and day of the week. Tonight, we’re on the last FAI-ANC Alaska Airlines flight of the day. Even in September it stays light pretty late here in Alaska.
This is a pretty cheap flight too, less than $100 for an economy seat, however first class was cheap too so I decided to spring for the $140 per person on this trip. It kinda reminds me of the Hawaiian airlines flights out in Hawaii, lots of commuters with tourists mixed in.
Bottom Line: The Alaska 737-800 First Class is comfortable, has great service, and very pleasant. This was a short flight, but I really enjoyed it. I’d love to ride with Alaska Airlines again.
Date of flight: September 2022
Fairbanks Airport Alaska Airlines Check-in
We arrived at the Fairbanks airport about an hour before our departure time. We do have to check bags today as we have all of our camping gear. Alaska Airlines requires 45 minutes check-in before departure at FAI when checking bags.
We’re flying in Alaska’s First Class down to Anchorage as it’s so cheap so we can check-in at the First Class line. We also get 3 free checked bags per person. Within Alaska, Alaska Airlines doesn’t charge checked bag fees even in economy. The line was a little slow moving, but the agent was extremely friendly and got us all checked in and our bags tagged without issue.
After dropping our bags, we headed upstairs to the security checkpoint. Not much of a line tonight, there’s only a few more flights this evening out of Fairbanks and this isn’t a huge airport anyway. We have precheck and we’re through security within about 5 minutes.
Alaska Airlines 737-800 First Class Boarding
We arrived at the gate just a few minutes before boarding started. Alaska Airlines started with the normal boarding announcements then began boarding by zone. The boarding process started right on time for our Alaska flight down to Anchorage.
We boarded with first class and found our seats in the last row of the first class cabin.
Our Alaska 737-800 waiting to take us down to Anchorage.
Alaska Airlines 737-800 First Class Seat Review
We’re seated in the last row of First Class on this Alaska Airlines 737-800. I usually try to pick the last row of First Class if I can, just a personal preference.
Lots of leg room in these very plush seats. Much better than you’d find in other domestic first class seating. The seats are also very plush, nice and soft. These older planes have nice comfy seats and I love it. One thing I will note, is these seats on Alaska Airlines are not very clean. There are crumbs in my seat and someone had some issues with keeping their drink in their glass.
The seat back in front on Alaska Airlines doesn’t have in seat entertainment. It’s a little bit of a bummer as some of these flights in the Alaska route are long for a 737 and a little entertainment would be nice.
Plenty of space in the 737’s overheads for our bags. (Note: this picture was taken after the flight and our bags had shifted while in flight, we didn’t store them like idiots)
There is power in our seat, but no in seat entertainment options on the Alaska 737. More of the what I think is red wine spilled. Someone really made a mess and not much effort was put in to clean it up.
I do enjoy the cabin furnishings that Alaska Airlines has on the 737 thought. It’s unique and something you don’t see much.
The overhead panel was very good. Like older 737s the air vents actually work unlike on many of the newer ones.
Waiting in our Alaska Airlines First Class seats was boxed water. I like these better than plastic. It’s a large size, more space efficient, and better for the environment.
Alaska Airlines 737-800 First Class Push Back and Takeoff
Outside they are loading the last of the luggage, it’s raining here in Fairbanks, seems to be common.
We shut the door a few minutes early, perfect for our trip down to Anchorage. The flight attendant passed through and asked us to unplug our devices, I found that interesting, not sure I’ve had that request before.
The flight attendants also gave their safety presentation and we pushed back from the gate.
The pilots added their welcome and told us it would be just over one hour gate to gate down to Anchorage. It’s a little rainy here in Fairbanks and they told us the ride would be a little bumpy, but not bad.
We took off to the south, should be a good time saver on the trip down to Anchorage. It’s fun looking out at the Alaska Airlines winglet as we fly in Alaska.
It’s a little cloudy/hazy out tonight, the Alaskan interior is certainly beautiful though. I hope we get to see more of it and the clouds clear.
Alaska Airlines First Class Drink and Snack Service
The Alaska Airlines drink selection. In First Class, beer, wine, and liquor are included.
Once airborne the flight attendant came and asked us if we’d like a drink, I decided to have the anchor brewing IPA.
We had another great flight attendant on this flight. Super friendly and fun guy. He came around with the snack basket, I had the jerky and Val got the PeaTos. They are a pea based Cheeto like snack and were pretty good. Nice little selection for this short intra-Alaska flight.
Alaska Airlines 737-800 Bathroom
Nothing special here about the bathroom on the Alaska Airlines 737 bathroom. This is the front lavatory in the First Class cabin, just behind the cockpit.
Alaska Airlines 737-800 First Class In Flight
We never got a great view on this flight, but we did have a nice smooth flight. This flight really reminded me of our Hawaiian flights. And no, not Southwest airlines, Hawaiian Airlines.
Nice and quiet inside the Alaska 737-800 cabin. I really like the fuzzy walls in the cabin, it’s a unique feature that makes flying with Alaska just a little bit different.
Outside we started to get just a little bit of sun between the clouds. Below we didn’t get a view of the landscape. It it Alaska in September after all. We sat back and enjoyed our drinks and snacks.
Alaska Airlines 737-800 Anchorage Arrival
A few minutes before landing, the very friendly flight attendant came around and collected the garbage from the drink service. They also made their landing announcements and told us the weather in Anchorage would be pretty similar to Fairbanks, 50 degrees F and slightly raining. As we passed below the clouds we got our first glimpse of the coastal lowland that surrounds Anchorage.
Our Alaskan 737 just a few moments before landing in ANC. Interestingly enough in a few days we’d be watching planes from that bike trail.
And on the ground in Anchorage. Sadly our Alaska 737 First Class experience has come to an end.
Plane spotting at ANC is pretty fun, there’s a ton of cargo that transits here. Because it’s so cargo heavy, there are a ton of 747s and everyone loves a good 747. This Cathay Pacific 747-8f was here waiting in the rain.
Alaska Airlines 737-800 First Class Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed our flight between Fairbanks and Anchorage on Alaska Airlines. Yes, I splurged for First Class when I probably didn’t need to. It was mostly for free checked bags, but turns out those are free for economy too, oh well, I enjoyed Alaska’s First Class offering on this one hour flight.
I loved the comfortable seats, the drink selection was good, and the snacks were perfect for this short flight. The flight attendant was super friendly and made us feel right at home here on Alaska Airlines.
The only complaint I have is that the seat was very dirty, the drippy red wine really detracted from a very good experience. I’m sure it’s a one off because I really did have a great time on this flight.
Bottom line, I’d love to ride with Alaska Airlines again, unfortunately they don’t really service my part of the world, not really a surprise though, I live in the South East US, it’s pretty much the farthest you can get from Alaska in the US.
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