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People who don’t live in the West Coast area think that Alaska Airlines is just a small regional carrier based in Anchorage. Well, it’s not because you can purchase or upgrade to an Alaska Airlines First Class flight to make your trips more comfortable when you’re traveling domestically or internationally.
Alaska Airlines ranked 8th in Skytrax’s World’s Best Airline Award in North America for 2021. The airline is continuously expanding and amassing more loyalists, especially since it joined the OneWorld alliance back in July 2020.
It has major primary hubs in the US which are located in Seattle (Primary hub), Anchorage, Los Angels, San Francisco, and Portland. As of today, Alaska Airlines offers more than 115 destinations throughout the U.S., Mexico, Hawaii, Canada, and other parts of South America.
If you want to book an Alaska first class flight to any of these routes, keep on reading.
Read More: All You Need To Know About The Alaska Companion Fare
Alaska Airlines On-the-Ground Benefits
Booking an Alaska Airlines first class flight gets you premium services even before you board the plane. Here’s what you can expect.
Lounge Access
A passenger who is flying on an Alaska first class or Alaska business class ticket, whether paid in cash or in miles, can have access to Alaska Airlines lounges at the following Alaska Airlines Hubs: Anchorage (ANC), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Portland (PDX), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA). Lounge access for paid first-class flights includes both domestic and international routes.
Additionally, people with OneWorld Emerald or Sapphire membership that was earned through an Alaska or American Airlines frequent flyer status will also have lounge access only on long-haul international itineraries to Mexico City, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, or Australia.
Here are the benefits that you can get from Alaska Airlines lounges:
- Complimentary food/snacks
- Beverages/cocktails,
- High-speed Alaska wifi
- Comfortable chairs
- Digital entertainment
- Concierge services.
For more details about Alaska lounges and guidelines, you can visit their website.
Priority Check-in & Boarding
Passengers will be able to board their flights faster because of the priority check-in and boarding perks. It’s a great way to avoid the hustle and bustle of the airport, especially during peak days.
Here’s the boarding sequence for Alaska airlines:
- Pre-Boarding
- Physically-impaired guests or those who need help boarding
- Families with kids under the age of 2
- Active members of the military with an ID
- First Class passengers
- Group A
- OneworldEmerald and Sapphire members
- Mileage Plan Million Miler
- MVP Gold 100k
- MVP Gold 75K
- MVP Gold members
- Group B
- Oneworld Ruby members
- Guests who are in premium class seats
- Mileage Plan MVP members
- Group C – Guests who are sitting in the back half of the aircraft
- Group D – Guests who are sitting in the front half of the aircraft
- Group E – Guests who purchased Saver fares
Free Baggage Allowance
You’ll get two free checked bags as long as they are below 50 pounds and 62 inches; bags that go beyond those limits will incur additional charges. For people with sports and leisure equipment, you can check the airline’s baggage policies for more details.
Read More:
Alaska Airlines On-the-Air Benefits
Now for the exciting part! Alaska Airlines first class cabin offers a premium experience in the air such as spacious seats, premium entertainment, and complimentary meals and beverages.
Alaska Airlines First Class Seats
First-class seats are available on the Boeing 737s, Bombardier Q400s, and the Embraer 175s planes. The first class cabin is located in the front of the plane in front of the Alaska Premium class cabin.
The Boeing 737 planes typically have three rows with a 2-2 seat configuration, however, the Embraer has four rows with a 1-2 seat configuration.
Here are the features you’ll find on Alaska Airlines first class seats:
- A 41-inch seat pitch that gives more legroom for passengers (pitch is the space between a seat and the seat in front of it).
- Reclining seats with footrests
- Tablet holders and power outlets
- Easy-to-reach cup holders
Unfortunately, Alaska Airlines first class seats do not have lay-flat functions compared to its foreign-based competitors. For example, Singapore Airlines’ first-class seats on the Boeing 777-300 or Aeromexico’s first-class seats on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner both feature lay-flat functions.
In-flight Entertainment
All of Alaska Airlines’ fleet DO NOT have a built-in entertainment system. Instead, passengers will be given free access to high-speed Alaska Wifi provided Gogo and stream movies and TV shows on their digital devices.
For those who don’t have devices, in-flight tablets for passengers are offered on the following routes below.
- Hawaii
- Bosting
- Baltimore
- Washington DC
- New York
- Philadelphia
- Fort Lauderdale
- Orlando
- Tamba
The perk is offered both for outbound and in-found flights.
How To Book Alaska Airlines First Class
There are two primary ways to book an Alaska Airlines first class ticket – pay in cash or pay in miles. All you need to do is to visit the booking website and fill in the details of your itinerary. By default, you will pay in cash but on the left-hand side, you’ll see an option to pay in miles.
Traditionally, you would have to earn Alaska miles by flying on Alaska-operated flights or OneWorld member-operated flights or spending through an Alaska Airlines co-branded credit card.
However, there’s another way to earn Alaska miles and that is through a transfer partner, specifically through Marriot Bonvoy. You can transfer Marriot Bonvoy points to Alaska at a 3:1 ratio, plus 5,000 bonus miles if you transfer at least 6,000 Bonvoy points. For example, if you transfer 120,000 points, you’ll get 50,000 Alaska miles in total.
Here are some Marriott Bonvoy Cards that you can apply for:
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (R) Credit Card– Earn3 Free Night Awards(each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening (Terms apply).
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold (R) Credit Card– 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening (Terms Apply).
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant (R) American Express Card – 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy™Bonus Points and a Bonus Free Night Award after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership (Terms apply).
Read More: The Complete Guide To Marriott Moments
Bottomline: Is It Worth It?
Alaska Airlines boasts of its premium food and customer service so most passengers choose Alaska over other US airlines when flying cross-country flights. But is Alaska first class worth the money when you can buy an Alaska Premium Class seat at a cheaper price but can still give you enough legroom to fly comfortably?
For short flights? It probably isn’t! You’re better off booking a Premium class seat that can give you 4 more inches of legroom than the standard Main Cabin seats. You’ll also enjoy alcoholic drinks and priority check-in and boarding.
But for long-haul cross-country and international flights, it’s nice to have a seat that has a footrest and can give you a generous recline.
Posted in Alaska Airlines
Jestan Mendame
Jestan Mendame is a seasoned copywriter and social media strategist who handles Points Panda social media channels as well as writing mainly articles about travel for Points Panda as well. He is from Manila and resides there.
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FAQs
What benefits do you get flying first class Alaska Airlines? ›
Experience exclusive, First Class perks. Check in two free bags, skip ahead with expedited check-in and priority boarding, along with express security screening at select airports. Plus, earn 75% more Mileage Plan™ bonus miles with your First Class ticket purchase.
Is Alaska still blocking seats in first class? ›As of Tuesday, June 1, the final U.S. carrier, Alaska Airlines, ended its middle-seat block policy. While the Seattle-based airline resumed selling most of its cabins to full capacity on Jan. 7, 2021, it carved out a notable exception for Premium Class flyers.
Do you get free drinks in first class Alaska? ›Yes, alcoholic and soft drinks are complimentary in the Alaska first class cabin. How much does it cost to upgrade to first class on Alaska Airlines? Upgrades start at $24, but vary by flight and availability. Most upgrades will cost far more, in line with the fare difference between a first class and economy ticket.
Can I get into the Alaska lounge with a first class ticket? ›To access the Alaska Lounge, passengers must show their same-day First Class boarding pass to the Alaska Lounge Staff. Passengers upgraded to First Class, (booked in U class of service) whether complimentary, paid, or using miles do not have complimentary access to the Alaska Lounge.
Do people actually get upgraded to first class? ›If you're willing to be bumped to the next available flight, airlines will often upgrade, offer a refund, or issue vouchers for a future flight. In the waiting area, take a look around. Is every seat filled? If so, let the staff know you're amenable to bump to the next flight if extra considerations are offered.
How many bags do you get on Alaska first class? ›Fly First Class with Alaska Airlines
First class passengers on Alaska Airlines receive two free checked bags as part of the airline's checked baggage rules.
With our reinvigorated service, we're now offering an expanded selection of freshly prepared, West Coast inspired First Class meals on all flights more than 670 miles and hot meals on flights longer than 1,100 miles.
Are first class passengers treated better? ›While fliers in first and business class sections pay for extras such as better food, drinks and roomier seats, a survey of more than 1,200 Americans found that most travelers feel the flight crew also show first-class passengers more courtesy and respect.
What is complimentary in first class? ›United First class food and drinks
Those beers, wines and cocktails that cost money in coach are complimentary in first class. Many flights also include premium meal service without an extra charge. Flights under an hour include basic snacks, while flights over an hour include refreshments.
American Airlines Meals and Snacks
Passengers in first or business class get free snacks, “Lite Bites,” or full meals, depending on the length and time of the flight. Non-alcoholic beverages are free on all flights, while economy-class passengers will pay extra for alcoholic options.
What do you get in first class? ›
Depending on the airline, international first class could include private car service to the airport, a private lounge at the terminal, caviar and champagne on the flight, a lie-flat seat, or even a private compartment with a sitting area and a bed.
Is there a dress code for Alaska First Class? ›There is no special dress code for Alaska Airlines first class. And no, dressing up won't get you a free upgrade.
Do you tip at Alaska Lounge? ›She answered that all the Alaska lounge attendants are directly employed by the airline and that it's their employer's policy to not accept tipping.
Can you bring a guest to First Class lounge? ›Guests. First Class and Star Alliance Gold customers travelling on a Star Alliance or Connecting Partner Flight and Eligible Paid Lounge Membership customers are each entitled to bring one guest into the lounge.
Can you wear jeans in first-class? ›Men traveling in first or business class must wear collared shirts and long pants or jeans, while women must wear business-appropriate long or short-sleeve blouses, skirts, slack or jeans, or dresses.
How do I negotiate a first-class upgrade? ›- Be a seriously loyal customer. ...
- Get an airline credit card. ...
- Dress neatly. ...
- Check in online at the earliest possible time. ...
- Be on time, and have good timing. ...
- Ask politely and directly. ...
- Be reasonable. ...
- If the flight is relatively empty, your chances are slim.
- Earn airline elite status. ...
- Fly with someone who has airline elite status. ...
- Ask an elite member for their unused upgrades. ...
- Volunteer for an oversold flight. ...
- Purchase upgrades with the right credit card. ...
- Use miles to upgrade. ...
- Pay for a last-minute upgrade.
Carry-on luggage
You're allowed 1 carry-on bag plus 1 personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop.
There are three ways to avoid baggage fees on Alaska Airlines: Carry the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card, have Alaska elite status or purchase a first class ticket.
How many carry ons can you have in first class? ›You can bring one small carry on item plus one personal item per passenger. Either carry on cannot exceed 45 linear inches (22" long x 14" wide x 9" tall) or weigh more than 40lbs/18kgs. All carry-on items should be stowed in an overhead bin.
What row in first class is the best? ›
Row One in first class is the best option in most planes because you are at the very front of the plane. You have the most leg room and no one in front of you. You are also the first person to get off the plane, unless the door is behind the first class section, but even then you are one of the first people off.
Can you sit with someone in first class? ›As tempting as it might be to switch seats with a generous friend or family member seated in business or first class, passengers are often technically prohibited from making such a move. Airlines have implemented policies to ensure the safety of all passengers as well as to promote fairness among all passengers.
Can I take my own food on Alaska Airlines? ›I want to pack food to bring along on my flight. Is that okay? Self-heating meals or beverages are prohibited; other foods are okay.
Do I need a Covid test before flying to Alaska? ›The State of Alaska has no travel testing requirements. However, pre-travel testing continues to be strongly encouraged for non-vaccinated travelers. Fully vaccinated travelers are not asked to test.
What Covid test does Alaska Airlines require? ›At-home COVID RT-PCR saliva testing for Alaska Airlines customers. Alaska Airlines has partnered with AZOVA to bring you approved testing solutions for international and domestic travel for departures from the United States and for travelers returning to the United States from Mexico and Costa Rica.
Do first class passengers get through security faster? ›Fly premium class
Flying in a first- or business-class cabin not only comes with an upgraded inflight experience, but it also gets you priority access to expedited airport security checkpoint lines.
Why You Might Get a "Surprise" Upgrade. In rare circumstances, a flight may be oversold in the economy cabin, but there could be some space in first or business class. In that case, some very lucky passengers might be bumped up to first or business class for free in what's known as an operational upgrade.
Why do airlines Block First Class seats? ›Why are seats blocked? Seats are generally blocked to make them available for passengers with certain needs. For example, pairs of seats adjacent to the aisle, with movable aisle armrests, are blocked for disabled passengers. Sometimes, United blocks seats to deal with seatmap changes during aircraft reconfigurations.
Can you keep the pillow in first class? ›Just like with blankets, if you're offered a pillow during your flight you need to leave it when you're leaving. “It's for in-flight comfort, not a freebie to take home,” says Deane.
What drinks are free in first class? ›A wide selection of complimentary inflight beverages is available throughout your flight, including water, soft drinks, juice, tea, freshly brewed coffee and a variety of beer, wine and spirits.
Do first class passengers get free drinks? ›
Most U.S. airlines serve free alcoholic beverages to passengers in the first class, and sometimes in the business class cabin. Those in economy must pay for their miniatures. First class and business class tickets may cost two to three times (or more) as economy class tickets.
Can you ask for more food in first class? ›There are "extra" meals so you can certainly ask. If you are say, a first class passenger, the extra meal will be given to you almost as a matter of course if requested.
How long does a flight have to be to get a meal in first class? ›American Airlines will finally be improving its first class service, as the airline will bring back pre-departure drinks and hot meals on flights of over 3.5 hours as of February 16, 2022. Later in February we can expect improved meals on flights of 2.5-3.5 hours.
What food do you get from class 1? ›Ans: We need food to grow. It makes us strong and healthy. It gives us energy and protects our body.
Why do they give you hot towels in first class? ›Oshibori is usually translated as "hot towel". Most airlines distribute hot towels to first and business class passengers prior to the first meal on long haul flights. The heated towel used in barbers' shops to moisturize the skin or beard and make it easier to shave can also be thought of as a type of oshibori.
How do I get the most out of first class? ›- Schedule a spa appointment.
- Get chauffeured to the airport.
- Sit down to check in.
- Speed through security and immigration.
- Enjoy à la carte dining in the lounge.
- Freshen up before your flight.
- Get driven to your plane.
- Board before anyone else.
No, you shouldn't tip flight attendants
While flight attendants spend most of the flight providing service to customers, unlike other people in service industries, they shouldn't be tipped.
Luxury seating, plenty of legroom, priority boarding, and free checked bags are just a few of the perks of flying Alaska Airlines first class. Here's what you can expect when you book a seat.
What benefits do you get flying first class Alaska Airlines? ›Experience exclusive, First Class perks. Check in two free bags, skip ahead with expedited check-in and priority boarding, along with express security screening at select airports. Plus, earn 75% more Mileage Plan™ bonus miles with your First Class ticket purchase.
How much should I tip for room bag? ›And as a general rule of thumb, the standard tip, per bag, is $1. If you're bellman goes above and beyond (or you want to ensure special attention throughout your stay) consider tipping $5.
Can I get into the Alaska Lounge with a First Class ticket? ›
To access the Alaska Lounge, passengers must show their same-day First Class boarding pass to the Alaska Lounge Staff. Passengers upgraded to First Class, (booked in U class of service) whether complimentary, paid, or using miles do not have complimentary access to the Alaska Lounge.
Do you tip for complimentary drinks? ›If a bartender gives me something for free do I leave a tip for it? If you've been given a free drink by a bartender it's most likely a buyback or part of a happy hour promotion. Either way, even though you didn't pay for that drink, tipping is the right thing to do.
Can you use the bathroom in first class? ›In general the correct approach – airline rules aside – should be, Passengers should use the lavatory in their ticketed cabin first. First class passengers should have priority for the forward lavatory.
How do I get free airport lounge? ›- Airport Lounge Is So Comfortable! ...
- Here's How You Can Avail Airport Lounge Access For Free!
- Fly First-Class. ...
- Ask The Business Class Flyers. ...
- Priority Pass Membership Is A Saviour. ...
- Be A Frequent Passenger.
Singapore Airlines A380 Suites
That's not just hyperbole—at 50 square feet, its A380 Suites wins by measurement as well, giving first-class passengers more space than any other airline.
Depending on the airline, international first class could include private car service to the airport, a private lounge at the terminal, caviar and champagne on the flight, a lie-flat seat, or even a private compartment with a sitting area and a bed.
What do you get with a first class plane ticket? ›First-class seats will likely come with your own private space on the plane and maybe even a seat that turns into a bed, while business class seats will just provide extra legroom. First class passengers will get restaurant-level food, while business class passengers will get good-but-not-great meals.
What is the difference between premium class and first class on Alaska Airlines? ›You deserve more space—treat yourself to Premium Class. 4 inches more legroom than standard Main Cabin seats. Enjoy free beer, wine, and cocktails on most flights over 400 miles. Board early, access overhead bin space and be among the first to deplane.
Do you get free drinks when you fly first class? ›Are drinks free in first class American Airlines? Yes, international and domestic first class passengers have access to complimentary drinks such as wine, beer and spirits.
How do I get the most out of first class? ›- Schedule a spa appointment.
- Get chauffeured to the airport.
- Sit down to check in.
- Speed through security and immigration.
- Enjoy à la carte dining in the lounge.
- Freshen up before your flight.
- Get driven to your plane.
- Board before anyone else.
Is there a dress code for first class? ›
Men traveling in first or business class must wear collared shirts and long pants or jeans, while women must wear business-appropriate long or short-sleeve blouses, skirts, slack or jeans, or dresses.
Can you take stuff from first class? ›Business and first-class flights offer comfort items like blankets during the flight. You must leave them on board when you're leaving the plane as they can be reused. “Paying more to travel in a better class does not entitle passengers to take items offered for the journey,” says Webber.
Do people actually pay to fly first class? ›People aren't actually paying for first class.
Because larger companies have contracts or negotiated fares for first-class employee travel, many people aren't paying for their tickets, whether they're an employee or being sponsored.
Passengers in first or business class get free snacks, “Lite Bites,” or full meals, depending on the length and time of the flight. Non-alcoholic beverages are free on all flights, while economy-class passengers will pay extra for alcoholic options.
Why do people get upgraded to first class? ›Why You Might Get a "Surprise" Upgrade. In rare circumstances, a flight may be oversold in the economy cabin, but there could be some space in first or business class. In that case, some very lucky passengers might be bumped up to first or business class for free in what's known as an operational upgrade.
Is Alaska serving hot meals First Class? ›We serve freshly prepared meals and snacks for breakfast, lunch and dinner - always including a vegetarian option. Learn more about pre-order and stored credit card payments here .
Does Alaska First Class get free checked bags? ›How much does Alaska Airlines charge for checked bags? Checked baggage with Alaska Airlines is free for flights within the state of Alaska. For all other flights, the first bag is charged at $30 (free for first class), second bag at $40 (free for first class), and 3+ bags at $100.
Is Alaska serving alcohol in First Class? ›Alaska Airlines
A full selection of soft drinks, including mini cans of soda, juices and freshly brewed Starbucks Coffee and Teavana Tea are available in all cabins. Complimentary beer, wine, spirits and mixers are available in Premium Class and First Class. Alcohol is available for purchase in the Main Cabin.
American Airlines will finally be improving its first class service, as the airline will bring back pre-departure drinks and hot meals on flights of over 3.5 hours as of February 16, 2022. Later in February we can expect improved meals on flights of 2.5-3.5 hours.
What drinks are free in first class? ›A wide selection of complimentary inflight beverages is available throughout your flight, including water, soft drinks, juice, tea, freshly brewed coffee and a variety of beer, wine and spirits.