For the primary phase of my fast journey to Japan & Korea, I flew Alaska’s Boeing 737 MAX 9 top quality on the 5hr50min noon flight from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Seattle (SEA). Whereas I had reviewed Alaska’s Boeing 737-900ER top quality earlier than, this was my first time flying on one of many provider’s MAX plane.
Whereas after all inferior to a flat mattress product (like JetBlue Mint), I in any other case take into account Alaska top quality to be nearly as good because it will get in america relating to “normal” top quality. The airline has extra legroom than rivals, and on steadiness has higher meals, drinks, and repair. Whereas Alaska doesn’t have seat again leisure, I recognize the airline’s moderately priced and quick Wi-Fi, plus the streaming leisure.
So whereas it clearly isn’t to the extent of enterprise class on Asian or Center Jap carriers, Alaska is my first choose in america amongst non-flat mattress merchandise.
How I booked my Alaska top quality ticket
This portion of my journey was about positioning to Vancouver, so I might catch my Korean Air Boeing 787-10 flight from Vancouver to Seoul Incheon. Since I used to be reserving final minute, the perfect worth was paying money. So I booked the next in top quality for $674.98:
10/05 AS517 Fort Lauderdale to Seattle departing 10:15AM arriving 1:59PM
10/05 AS1305 Seattle to Vancouver departing 2:59PM arriving 3:59PM
I’d take into account that to be fairly deal, given the gap of journey, plus that I used to be reserving final minute. I additionally had an Alaska voucher to make use of, so my out of pocket was even decrease than that. For what it’s value, I credited these flights to American AAdvantage.
Alaska top quality lounge & boarding
I arrived at Fort Lauderdale Airport at round 9AM. I headed by safety, which took only a few minutes (because of TSA PreCheck), and located gate C9, the place my flight could be departing from. My airplane was already on the bottom, because it had spent the evening there, having flown within the night earlier than (12 hours is a very long time on the bottom!).
Boarding for my 10:15AM flight was scheduled for 9:35AM, 40 minutes earlier than departure. Certain sufficient, that’s when boarding began, with top quality being invited to board first.
I ought to point out that ordinarily Alaska top quality tickets (paid with money or miles) on nonstop flights of two,100+ miles provide entry to Alaska Lounges. Nonetheless, there isn’t a type of in Fort Lauderdale. The excellent news is that because of this ticket I might use the wonderful Alaska Lounge Seattle previous to my connection to Vancouver.
Alaska 737 MAX top quality cabin & seats
Alaska’s Boeing 737 MAX 9 top quality consists of a complete of 16 seats, unfold throughout 4 rows, in a 2-2 configuration. I’d say Alaska’s 737 MAX cabins really feel pretty trendy, although they’re undoubtedly on the sterile facet by way of finishes. I chosen seat 4F, the window seat on the suitable facet within the final row (it was the final seat obtainable to assign, although fortuitously aligns with my preferences).
Alaska gives the Recaro CL4710 seat (since rebranded because the Recaro R5 seat) in top quality, which is a fairly normal home top quality seat. What units this aside is how spacious it’s — the seat has 41″ of pitch, is 21.3″ extensive, and gives 5″ of recline.
As a degree of comparability, different US carriers usually have 37-38″ of pitch in top quality, and some further inches could make an enormous distinction. When it comes to seat consolation, two issues come to thoughts. I recognize how the seat has an adjustable head relaxation, which makes it simpler to get comfy. Nonetheless, I do need to say that the padding in these seats isn’t nearly as good as you’ll discover on Alaska’s “basic” 737s, as these seats are very effectively padded.
Alaska doesn’t provide seat again leisure, and as a substitute on the seat again you’ll discover a literature pocket plus a pouch for storage.
Beneath the pouch is a foot relaxation, which is such a easy however uncommon function on a US airline, as I discover it may assist with getting comfy if attempting to relaxation in a seat like this.
On this configuration, the tray desk folds out from the facet armrest. You must flip it over to be able to lengthen the entire thing.
Alternatively, if you happen to simply lengthen half of it, then it may double as a private machine holder, on your personal leisure. I want Alaska had put in a seat again machine holder as a substitute (or along with the one on the tray desk).
Alongside the middle armrest there are two cupholders, a small counter house, and in addition a pouch alongside the facet of the seat.
Every seat has each a USB-A and AC energy outlet, conveniently situated alongside the entrance facet of the middle console.
So far as separation between cabins goes, there’s not a correct bulkhead between economic system and top quality, however as a substitute there’s a partition above the seats, plus a curtain that’s used inflight.
As you’d count on on a 737 MAX, there are additionally particular person air nozzles at every seat, plus massive overhead bins.
Whereas this product is hardly aggressive globally, that is my favourite non-flat mattress top quality supplied by a US airline, because of the additional seat pitch.
Alaska top quality facilities
Ready at every top quality seat upon boarding was a blanket, which was fairly substantial. I like how Alaska gives these in top quality, since many US airways now not do.
Moreover, as soon as settled in, pre-departure drinks had been supplied, with the selection of water, orange juice, or espresso. I had a cup of espresso, which was Alaska’s particular Stumptown mix. I do know this sounds foolish, however I additionally love how Alaska has little creamer “sticks,” after taking three flights in a row in Latin America the place there was no milk or cream.
Alaska 737 MAX top quality leisure & Wi-Fi
Alaska’s Boeing 737 MAX 9s don’t have seat again leisure, however they do in any other case have setup. For one, Alaska has Intelsat 2Ku Wi-Fi on these jets, and a full flight streaming cross prices $8.
Maybe this can be a scorching take, however I’ll take Alaska’s $8 Wi-Fi over Delta’s free Wi-Fi any day. Why? Properly, as a result of the speeds are a lot better, since not as many individuals use it. I do worth with the ability to keep productive, so I’ll gladly pay $8 for higher speeds, in comparison with an airline the place virtually everybody connects, and that enormously slows down speeds.
Alaska additionally has a big choice of streaming leisure, with motion pictures, TV exhibits, and extra. Whereas I can’t say I take advantage of streaming leisure choices typically, I do know others do worth this.
Alaska 737 MAX departure from Fort Lauderdale
The boarding course of was fairly environment friendly, regardless of a full flight. Boarding wrapped up by 10:10AM, at which level the primary cabin door closed, and the captain added his welcome aboard, informing us of our flight time of 5hr50min.
Sadly it was a wet morning in Fort Lauderdale, which made it troublesome to take footage out the window. We pushed again at 10:15AM, at which level the guide security demonstration was carried out.
We then began our taxi at 10:20AM.
The taxi out to runway 10L wasn’t very lengthy, although we needed to look forward to a number of planes to land earlier than we had been cleared for takeoff. We lastly received underway at 10:35AM. It was an extended takeoff roll and a easy climb out.
Regardless of the dearth of turbulence journey, the seatbelt signal stayed on for roughly the primary 40 minutes of the flight.
Alaska top quality meals & drinks
On this flight, lunch was the first meal. Alaska permits meal pre-orders in top quality, and you could find the choice for this flight under. Among the choices are solely obtainable through pre-order, and I recognize the massive number of choices obtainable.
I additionally like how Alaska particularly publishes a drink checklist for top quality (situated within the seat again). In contrast to American, Alaska has a legitimately fascinating drink checklist, with every little thing from Straightaway Oregon Outdated Normal, to Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka, to wines from the Pacific Northwest.
After takeoff, the flight attendant took drink and meal orders. I had a Weight loss plan Coke to drink, which was served with a fairly flavorful snack combine in a disposable ramekin.
The primary meal was then served a little bit over an hour after takeoff. I had the linguine and shrimp, with linguine tossed in lemon, dill, and caper sauce, topped with grilled shrimp and inexperienced peas. This was served with a facet salad that had mozzarella, solar dried tomatoes, and pesto, plus a bread roll. When it comes to high quality and presentation, I discovered this to be a major lower above what I get on most US airways.
After the meal, I made a decision to order an Outdated Normal. I’m not normally a drinker on home flights, but it surely was a Sunday afternoon, so why not. 😉
As soon as all passengers had completed lunch, the flight attendant got here round with dessert, which was Salt & Straw ice cream, with the flavour being cinnamon snickerdoodle.
For the rest of the flight, the flight attendant made a number of passes by the cabin with a snack basket, which had quite a lot of candy and salty snacks.
Alaska 737 MAX top quality bathroom
After the meal I checked out the rest room. The primary class bathroom is on the entrance of the cabin, and is tiny, as is normal on 737 MAXs.
Alaska top quality inflight service
The flight attendant working top quality on this flight was nice — she was pleasant and continually checked on passengers, in order that’s about all you may hope for on a flight like this. I do discover Alaska flight attendants to be a bit higher than their counterparts at most different US airways, and I discover they’re typically a bit extra personable.
Lovely views enroute to Seattle
I spent a lot of the flight working and gazing out the window. I at all times choose window seats when attainable, since I’ll by no means take with no consideration simply how beautiful the world is from above. Crossing america on a daytime flight is such a stunning expertise, watching the panorama evolve with every mile…
Alaska 737 MAX arrival in Seattle
This flight handed by surprisingly quick. At 12:45PM Pacific time, the captain was again on the PA to announce that we’d be touchdown in round 45 minutes. Round 20 minutes later, the seatbelt signal was turned on.
I’m unhappy I used to be seated on the suitable facet of the plane, because the passengers on the left had an incredible view of Mount Rainier, which could simply be essentially the most beautiful view within the decrease 48.
At 1:25PM we touched down on runway 34L.
From there we had a roughly 10-minute taxi to our arrival gate, the place we pulled in at 1:35PM, round 25 minutes forward of schedule.
As soon as off the airplane, I briefly visited the Alaska Lounge, after which took the short flight as much as Vancouver. I gained’t be reviewing that flight, since there was no inflight service as a consequence of how quick it’s. So this collection will choose up on the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, the place I’d spend the evening.
Backside line
Alaska Airways’ 737 MAX top quality is a pleasing option to fly inside america. The airline gives a bit extra legroom than rivals, together with a foot relaxation and adjustable head relaxation. Alaska additionally has above common meals, drinks, and repair.
Clearly this product isn’t aggressive globally, if you happen to evaluate it to what you’d get on a comparable flight in another areas. Nonetheless, inside america, Alaska is my favourite airline in markets with out flat beds.
What do you make of Alaska top quality on the Boeing 737 MAX?
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