Ok, there’s no way around it, domestic red-eye flights suck. There are better ones than others, but a standard configuration domestic seat sucks on a 4 hour overnight flight. I’m really not looking forward to this trip, but it’s time to go home so nothing I can do but suck it up and deal with the Delta 737-900.
Tonight we’re flying home from Alaska, on Delta’s 737-900 in first class. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really glad to be in first class on this overnight red eye flight, but I’m just not happy about having to take this flight at all. It’s just difficult to get back to the east coast from Alaska without an overnight flight. It’s possible, but the routing isn’t very fun either.
Bottom Line: I’ve been on the Delta 737-900 lots of times, including on this trip up to Alaska in Delta Comfort Plus, but I don’t think I’ve been on one overnight in years if ever. The Delta 737-900 is a plane I tend to avoid anyway, so this flight is pretty low on my desirability.
In This Trip
Anchorage Airport Check-in
After enjoying our trip to Alaska, we headed to the airport. We’re here a little earlier than I usually like, but we’re checking bags. There’s a tunnel that leads to the rental car center and there’s some overhead pictures of the ANC airport through history. It was cool to see the progress of the airport.
We checked our camping supplies at the counter. The friendly agent told us about the Skyclub location and offered to print our boarding passes. We told here that we’re good with just the digital passes in the Delta app.
We quickly passed through security. We both have global entry that includes precheck. At this late hour, there was very little line or waiting for baggage drop or security.
After security we followed the directions from the check-in agent to the Skyclub. It’s not super easy to find but there are signs to follow.
The Anchorage Skyclub is called a pop-up Skyclub. It’s not a formal space, but is really pleasant. It’s up those stairs in the back corner. I have a full review of the Anchorage Pop-up Skyclub if you’re interested.
Delta 737-900 First Class Boarding
After waiting for just over an hour at the Delta Skyclub we walked to the gate to find a very busy situation. They had already called our zone so we boarded. Good timing in my book. We also just received the notification that our bags had been loaded onto the plane. Delta does a good job with updates like that on their app.
Delta 737-900 First Class Seat Review
Onboard the Delta 737-900 we found our first class seats in the second row on the right hand side of the plane. The legroom in First Class is adequate but nothing amazing.
Where Delta does a good job is with the in-seat entertainment. These 737-900s have nice modern entertainment screens with a large selection of shows and movies.
I really don’t like the overhead panel on the Delta 737-900. The vents just don’t put out enough air.
The flight attendants passed out headphones but there were no blankets or pillows in any of the seats. Pre-covid, every first class seat had a pillow and blanket, even in short daytime flights. Sadly even an overnight flight doesn’t get a pillow in first class.
It’s raining out tonight but it didn’t stop us from an on-time departure.
Delta 737-900 Anchorage Departure
We taxied to the runway as the rain fell. Our flight time tonight to Salt Lake City is just over 4 hours. With the time difference, we should land just around 6am. This is not my ideal timing, but oh-well.
We took off and for just a few moments we were below clouds. We didn’t get a great view of Anchorage because of the direction.
We were soon flying through the low clouds and rain.
The cabin lights were dim but the Delta mood lights were on during the climb. At this point the flight attendant came around and offered drinks, I declined as I’m just ready to go to sleep.
Delta 737-900 Bathroom
The lavatory on the Delta 737-900 is unremarkable. I wouldn’t say it’s small, but it’s certainly not large.
When I visited it was at least clean so that’s good.
Delta 737-900 First Class In Flight
Once back in my seat I reclined and attempted to get some sleep. The problem is that I don’t sleep well sitting up right. This is also a really short flight, only 4 hours, so it’s hard to get much sleep anyway. The lights in the cabin were turned off and I settled in. In all I think I got about 2 hours of off and on sleep. Not great, not sure if I would have been any worse off in Delta Comfort Plus instead of up here in First Class on the 737-900.
Delta 737-900 First Class SCL Arrival
As we approached we got a nice pre-sunrise view of the Great Salt Lake. We are actually landed about 20 minutes early. Not that I’m complaining.
And on the ground here in SLC.
Delta 737-900 First Class Red Eye Review
There’s no avoiding the fact that domestic overnight red eye flights are unpleasant. I’ve also made it known that I’m not a huge fan of the Delta 737-900. Combining the two into a Delta 737-900 overnight flight isn’t exciting. It’s not the worst way to travel, but it’s more about getting to the destination rather than enjoying the journey.
The good news is that everything was perfectly on-time. The plane was clean, the in-seat entertainment is good on the Delta 737-900 too. There’s not much else to report back. Flying between ANC and SLC is a somewhat uncomfortable way to spend the night. The service is more about getting the lights off quickly than anything else. Most flights of this length would get a meal in First Class, but because it’s an overnight, just drinks and snacks are served.
I’d take this flight and route again, but I’d strongly consider a different routing that avoids this type of red eye overnight flight.
Follow This Trip
Delta 717 Comfort Plus CLT-MSP Review
MSP Airport Concourse C Delta Skyclub Review
MSP Airport Concourse F Delta Skyclub Review
Delta 737-900 Comfort Plus MSP-FAI Review
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fairbanks Alaska Review
Denali National Park Savage River Campground Review
Hyatt Place Fairbanks Alaska Review
Alaska Airlines 737-800 First Class FAI-ANC Flight Review
Home2 Suites Anchorage Midtown Review