26 thoughts on “Review: “Hacking” First Class to Hawaii On Alaska Airlines”
AlfredH
I prefer the lie flat seats on a AA 787 or 777 which use the international business class seats. United uses domestic lie flat seats on their 777 to Hawaii. Would like to try Delta lie flat seats as they are supposed to be good as well.
Yes, concur that lie flat on a widebody is great. The only thing is it doesn’t operate in this or most markets. So narrow-body, or connecting flights it is. Of the two, we’d typically prefer nonstop.
I very much enjoyed your review. Probably the reason for the unusual boarding is that Alaska is usually the last flight into LIH. We liked Alaska while using them. Then they started routing only out of Seattle and that caused too many missed connections. If you live in Northwest, Alaska it is just about your only choice in airlines. SW does a poor job of service to the Northwest. Not sure about Hawaiian. I found it amusing when flight attendants would compare themselves to SW as a low cost airline. I agree Alaska did a good job with customer service but, I like SW even better.
I think our favorite flight to Hawaii, was getting to sit behind Izzy, he took up two seats. A few years later we got to see in concert just before his passing.
I believe flight attendants do not start getting paid until the aircraft door closes. So given labor/staffing issues and everything flight attendants have had to endure since COVID started, it’s understandable if they aren’t enthusiastically greeting everyone.
I feel like if one has chosen the hospitality industry as a career path, there is an indelible expectation to demonstrate a cheerful and welcoming disposition. Especially when in uniform and most certainly at the entrance of the airplane. In the digital age we occupy everyone’s professional behavior is constantly being scrutinized and disciplined or terminated/cancelled. Why should flight attendant get a pass?
One thing to know about Alaska’s -800 aircraft is they are scheduled to start interior refurbishments this month so they will be getting new interiors.
Alaska airlines are the Best in just about every way, I was so surprised 😯 about the flight attendants they are the most friendly, helpful in the business. There mileage requirements are always very fair. That’s why they always score the highest grade of satisfaction on the Freddie awards……
I enjoyed your review. However, I think most travel blogger folks would disagree with your statement that 40k Alaska miles are worth about $400, or about one cent a mile. Most bloggers value Alaska miles at well above one cent a mile. TPG, for example, values Alaska miles at 1.8 cents a mile. That would make the actual cost of your first class trip to Hawaii a whopping $720. Personnally, I value Alaska miles at about 1.5 cents a point, which would make price your Hawaii trip out at $600.
I took a bump on my flight out of Seattle. The gate agent was overzealous and bumped me to an unusable arrival time after quoting me an arrival time 5 hrs earlier. Part of the deal was a first class upgrade. I always fly as cheaply as possible and was really looking forward to the experience. Long story short, I would up getting screwed out of my upgrade altogether, had to cover the extra night room out of pocket with later reimbursement,flew in an aisle seat in coach,and would up needing to spend more than 12 hours on hold just to get the flight credit promised.I had much trouble getting them to honor their own screw up. And never got a whiff of first class.
I prefer the lie flat seats on a AA 787 or 777 which use the international business class seats. United uses domestic lie flat seats on their 777 to Hawaii. Would like to try Delta lie flat seats as they are supposed to be good as well.
Hi Alfred.
Yes, concur that lie flat on a widebody is great. The only thing is it doesn’t operate in this or most markets. So narrow-body, or connecting flights it is. Of the two, we’d typically prefer nonstop.
Aloha.
I very much enjoyed your review. Probably the reason for the unusual boarding is that Alaska is usually the last flight into LIH. We liked Alaska while using them. Then they started routing only out of Seattle and that caused too many missed connections. If you live in Northwest, Alaska it is just about your only choice in airlines. SW does a poor job of service to the Northwest. Not sure about Hawaiian. I found it amusing when flight attendants would compare themselves to SW as a low cost airline. I agree Alaska did a good job with customer service but, I like SW even better.
I think our favorite flight to Hawaii, was getting to sit behind Izzy, he took up two seats. A few years later we got to see in concert just before his passing.
I believe flight attendants do not start getting paid until the aircraft door closes. So given labor/staffing issues and everything flight attendants have had to endure since COVID started, it’s understandable if they aren’t enthusiastically greeting everyone.
I feel like if one has chosen the hospitality industry as a career path, there is an indelible expectation to demonstrate a cheerful and welcoming disposition. Especially when in uniform and most certainly at the entrance of the airplane. In the digital age we occupy everyone’s professional behavior is constantly being scrutinized and disciplined or terminated/cancelled. Why should flight attendant get a pass?
Looking forward to fly in September 2023 to Ouhu
One thing to know about Alaska’s -800 aircraft is they are scheduled to start interior refurbishments this month so they will be getting new interiors.
Alaska airlines are the Best in just about every way, I was so surprised 😯 about the flight attendants they are the most friendly, helpful in the business. There mileage requirements are always very fair. That’s why they always score the highest grade of satisfaction on the Freddie awards……
Hi Jim.
We concur, and you couldn’t have been any more surprised than we were.
Aloha.
The broken things onboard that are obvious makes me wonder about the things we can’t see. Alaska should do better. Thank you
I enjoyed your review. However, I think most travel blogger folks would disagree with your statement that 40k Alaska miles are worth about $400, or about one cent a mile. Most bloggers value Alaska miles at well above one cent a mile. TPG, for example, values Alaska miles at 1.8 cents a mile. That would make the actual cost of your first class trip to Hawaii a whopping $720. Personnally, I value Alaska miles at about 1.5 cents a point, which would make price your Hawaii trip out at $600.
So what’s the hack?
Yes – please clarify. Mahalo.
I took a bump on my flight out of Seattle. The gate agent was overzealous and bumped me to an unusable arrival time after quoting me an arrival time 5 hrs earlier. Part of the deal was a first class upgrade. I always fly as cheaply as possible and was really looking forward to the experience. Long story short, I would up getting screwed out of my upgrade altogether, had to cover the extra night room out of pocket with later reimbursement,flew in an aisle seat in coach,and would up needing to spend more than 12 hours on hold just to get the flight credit promised.I had much trouble getting them to honor their own screw up. And never got a whiff of first class.