Alaska Airlines FIRST CLASS Across the Country | San Francisco to Boston

[@brianscotpatterson2101]

Thumbs up to Patrick Shea. He''s kinda everything. As a global traveler, this is a great vlog.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Thanks man! I appreciate it!

[@tombirkland]

Indeed,. I am always happy when he drops a new video.

[@kj7element276]

I love flying Alaska Airlines. They have almost always had the most affordable fare at the time of purchase for me so I have just been a loyal customer by default. I have never seen the value in flying first class on their flights because it doesn't seem to add up for me given the nature of the set up. I did the trek from Seattle to Boston last year and I felt just fine back in the back with the peasants. The thing that I enjoy the most with Alaska is the milage plan and credit card holder benefits and the top notch customer service from the flight crew down to the gate agents and reservations and ticket counter. Alaska has the friendliest and most welcoming employees I have ever dealt with in any other airline. For all those things is why I am a loyal customer of Alaska.

[@delibakerytravel]

So nice to see something so nice from SF. Lately certain media love to throw fire at SF daily. I look forward to your channel weekly. I can't travel anymore, But I sure can still DREAM. Thanks From San Diego.🌴

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Definitely! Thanks from the Bay!

[@coyotegrad-collectables]

Let's go Dodgers! 😁

[@jcbaily5559]

When Alaska got their first jet it was a 4 engine Convair 880 and they would advertise, "4 Daily Jets to Anchorage and Fairbanks" even though they only had one plane! It was quite humorous but they had decorated the inside in the Gay 90's theme and was very popular. The female flight attendants uniform was like the can can dancers of the day with the guys uniform like that of the bar tenders or poker table attendant. Food in those days filled the tray in coach and you could always ask for another one since they always had extra. FC meals had table cloths and food was served in courses. Those were truly the days of not only excellent food but plenty of it!!!!! Thanks for the memories!

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Dang... fun memories for sure!

[@ErnestoRoy]

Big fan of your content, especially all the historical background! Thank you!

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Thanks man! I appreciate it!

[@jimmyjames6492]

❤Alaska Airlines❤ Thanks for the info + video!

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Thanks!

[@Cali-707-ica]

Loved the review. I worked for the airline when they began the Anchorage-Chicago flight and the Seattle-DCA (IAD-during 9/11} and the expansion to Denver and Boston. I recall being told to fill my name in on form letters to the DOT to approve those new routes.

[@John-bi1lv]

Nice lounge for AS. They know who they are and are not.

[@ScottMatthews-gk8ef]

I often used to hop from SEA or SFO to SLC on late evening flights following a transatlantic crossing. I was usually in First & always experienced amazing & friendly service from Alaskan.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Alaska definitely has some of the best service in all cabins. Great staff both on the ground and in the air

[@terrygolden7726]

Food and seats totally suck duck really? Lo7nge is not up to la permier stds. Well no i would fly ua.

[@jwil4286]

⁠@@terrygolden7726Alaska lounges are better than Admirals Clubs but worse than Flagship lounges. Having been to the ones in SEA (main concourse once and north satellite twice), I’d say they have a rather rustic, homey feel to them. Not necessarily my first choice of lounge, but if BoA (the bank who issues the Alaska cobranded card) released a credit card that included Alaska lounge access, I would strongly consider getting it (ESPECIALLY if it also comes with a companion cert).

[@dfwplanespotters_yt]

18:52 BRO THOUGHT he WAS NOT gonna let me catching him listen to 21 Savage

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

👀 call it culture

[@afisher72291]

I flew this same route from BOS-SFO. Fun fact: I had the same crew. At 22:26 I made a light hearted comment to the flight attendant. I said you remind me of DJ Kahaled. I was seated in premium economy. This was when I went to the front of the aircraft to use the bathroom. He looked at me with disgust and told me to go to the back of the plane to use the restroom. It was just a light hearted joke that he made me feel like I was bullying him. I sent an email to guest services and they gave me a $200 credit acknowledging I was just being friendly and apologized that he made me feel the way I did. End of story but he needs to lighten up.

[@chnalvr]

Patrick, as a person living in Seattle for 20 years and a loyal customer of Alaska Airlines, I want to say thank you for this very well-researched video! I learned quite a big about an airline I have flown countless times. I agree with you, I do miss the indigenous designs on the old interiors. If the merger with Hawaiian is completely successful, I wonder how their big Asia network will impact Alaska since there are already many routes to Asia from the U.S. mainland. It's an exciting future for Alaska Airlines. I love their consistent, professional service.

[@bodyloverz30]

Sad they replaced the Virgin America First Class Seats!

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Awesome! I do love seeing the very loyal Alaska airlines people. Lots of fun stuff ahead for them, especially with this whole Hawaiian thing

[@einsesteinpiorosado8071]

Sr. Patrick gracias una vez más por tus buenas crónicas aéreas, eres un gran analista y contador de historias. Éxitos te deseo.

[@dcjimr1]

If Alaska had IFE, I'd fly them. I never watch movies on my phone (gives me a headache) and don't bring my laptop with me on vacations. Love your reviews!

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Totally agree. The personal device entertainment always takes points away from an airline in my opinion. At least they have charging ports. Not like some others where your phone inevitably dies if you’re streaming with it all flight

[@Sultan-nx4iz]

It takes a flight of 2100 (not 2000) or more miles to get into the lounge if flying first class (and must be a paid fare or award ticket, which is to say, not an upgrade).

[@tombirkland]

Cool discussion of the Alaska Airlines logo. Back in the 1970s they did use the gold miner, totem poles, and Russian onion domes on their planes as well as the Native man, before settling on the Native. I flew a lot on Alaska’s 727s between Seattle and Anchorage.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

That’s awesome! As a San Franciscan, the purchase of Virgin America has made Alaska one of our hometown airlines… even if I wasn’t around for the totem pole/gold miner days ha!

[@Julian-ck6lf]

That bar wouldn’t be empty at 06:00am in Manchester or Liverpool 🍺🍺🍺great video, 😊

[@botruong4102]

Thank you Patrick for a great review of Alaska airline.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@SFAvgeek]

Alaska moving to t1 was a big Brain move.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Definitely. It’s a great space to host one of the hub airlines

[@lindybrockington4539]

We've flown almost exclusively on Alaska Airlines, using miles to fly first class or premium economy and have had nothing but great experiences on the airline. I wish they had more non-stop flights from Tucson AZ though.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

They definitely offer a great product for most of their routes!

[@kevin19358]

In October, I am flying Alaska airlines from Honolulu to Fresno via San Diego for the 1st time round trip for 1 week, I am looking forward to my trip.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Excellent!

[@kevin19358]

Thanks.

[@davidibarra6730]

Great to hear the story on the livery , miss the gold miner. Hopefully, they will do one of those old livery like United and American

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

That would be fun to see. They do have a throwback livery for Horizon, but not mainline

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you Patrick for sharing your review. 😂 Hahaha! I hope the passengers on this morning travel were not loud!! Well, your breakfast looked very nice and with your hot tea! I hope the seat person next to you was not bothering you! And to me, you are right about the seat size and design for a long-haul flight. For us tall guys and ladies, we like more leg room for relaxing on those long-haul trips. Finally, that was good the crew was nice and you enjoyed this flight.😊

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Totally! Thank you! It’s a great product for the majority of their markets. And if you out your bag in the middle you have all the legroom you could need (+ a footrest!)

[@LMays-cu2hp]

😂 Hahaha! I hear you. ☺ You are welcome. Travel safely.

[@SamuelBarringer]

I flew on Alaska Airlines from Boston to San Francisco in January 1st before that flight with the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 door plug blowout. The flight was a little bit late and the plane had to be de-iced before takeoff. I wanted to fly on the Boeing 737 Max 9 but the flight was switched to the Boeing 737 800. We had no drama on the flight.

[@drennansmith595]

Love the labels on the points of interest for the in flight window shots, is that a new idea for you? As always, appreciate the commentary on airline and airport history.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

I’ve been thinking about the amount of stuff I fly past without even acknowledging. I felt that the stuff on the ground deserved some love!

[@danalamborn4464]

I don't know if it applies to SFO's Lounge, but I don't think the Alaska Lounge accepts Priority Pass. Also, those newest 1st class seats are very similar to those on Icelandair's Saga Premium Class. Very nice video! I'm looking forward to seeing the new Alaska Lounge at SFO in a month or so. It looks very similar to SEA's N-Concourse Lounge. One more last piece of AS trivia. The last merger before VX was back in the 1980's when they bought and absorbed Long Beach's Jet America (SI). They used the MD-80's from SI to promote and fly their California Dreamin' campaign, with some MD-80's having the Roy Orbison Sunglasses.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

That’s definitely a fun fact! Thanks! Safe travels!

[@ray1213yeung]

My biggest bitterness against them is they no longer treat SJC as one of their hub. I missed the days taking their flights from SJC to BUR/SNA before 2019.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Totally! I loved the SJC days. They do still have 12 destinations from San Jose so it’s not terrible, but not what it was pre-Covid for sure

[@rohithamruthur]

22:25 is DJ Khaled your flight attendant!?

[@jerrythemouse28]

In the description: Condor 737 MAX 9?!

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Good catch… at least I know someone is looking there! 😂

[@pikemanadventure5269]

Will the Alaska brand ever fly overseas?

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

I doubt it. That’s not really who they are. Especially now that they’re merging with Hawaiian (who already has plenty of overseas routes). I’d assume Hawaiian will operate long haul and Alaska can stay medium haul

[@andreworiez8920]

Let's put this to rest. The Guy on the tail is Chester Spivik who was a greeter for Alaska Airline's Arctic tours. Vic Warran (at the time the creative director for the Airline's add agency) designed it off a picture of Chester back in 1973.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Fair enough… Alaska may just want to keep it more vague to the region 🤷‍♂️

[@bodyloverz30]

You should also do Hawaiian JFK-HNL-SDY.

[@druiz012]

I'm flying Qatar business class out of SFO in 2 weeks. Is this the best lounge option for me in your opinion? Or is there a better option?

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Honestly I’d choose this one. When I flew QR from SFO they gave me access to the JAL lounge which is subpar. The BA lounge isn’t too bad, and is closer to the gate, but it gets super crowded. I’d pick the Admirals Club or this one (both in T1) but just understand it’ll take ~15 mins to reach your gate

[@kevanhubbard9673]

Those seats are basically the equivalent of international Premium Economy.I think that the only way to get true Business Class internally in the USA is if an international aircraft is being used on an internal flight .

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Yes and no. JetBlue, United, and American have found success with lie flat and private seats on narrow body aircraft used domestically. This setup is just more common because it is more versatile, working on the less premium routes too

[@jwil4286]

For a day flight, I’d say it’s fine. I flew from Seattle to Philadelphia last February in Alaska first class, and it was great.

[@robm3074]

Honestly I am hating these mergers This goes back years and years since the beginning of modern deregulation in 1978. The whole culture of the airline industry has changed for the worse. Identities have been lost. The idea of an airline being unique is non-existent. Employee morale has diminished. Yes it is drawing on the past but it seems the past is what made travel pleasurable. There is not even any unique advertising out there anymore when it comes to an airline. As the old Pan Am stated. And this tag line is definitely dated and not existent in today's world... "You Can't Beat the Experience"

[@hesaidyeswouldgo]

interesting! i completely agree, we are learning about the pros and cons of deregulation in my airline administration course and identity and that certain class is gone

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Yea… it does suck. Airlines with identities can’t compete as well… just look at JetBlue and Virgin America. One disappeared and the other became much more corporate than they once were

[@robm3074]

@@PatrickSheaAviation Half the people in the industry have not been in the industry but a very short time and have no idea what real customer service is all about. They just know how to count beans

[@jwil4286]

@@PatrickSheaAviationAlaska still has an identity; maybe not as much as JetBlue, but it’s still there (having recently flown AA, UA, and AS, I prefer the latter for domestic flights).

[@kevin19358]

Did you do online check in, 1 day before the flight and is it accepted?

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Yep. Super easy process like 2 buttons on your phone and then you’re set

[@kevin19358]

I see, I will trust you. Thanks.

[@petek5523]

The chips are called “All Dressed “. You’re welcome 😊

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Ha perfect! They were good… just not used to seeing the flavors all mixed in one bag

[@HiSteOfMnd]

Speaking of Alaska Airlines, aren’t they one step closer to acquiring Hawaiian Airlines? 🤔

[@michaelpfalzon2119]

You obviously didn’t watch the entire video

[@hughofIreland]

A small, yet critical, point: it’s a merger, not an acquisition.

[@chrisryan9779]

Alaskaair would ruin Hawaiian

[@HiSteOfMnd]

@@michaelpfalzon2119 I entirely watch the whole video. That’s me putting that comment 3 minutes into it. Relax there gramps 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Notourtube]

Transcontinental business/first class flights should be exclusively lie flat… stop giving these companies your hard earned money for a lower quality product

[@KL-er7yi]

Alaska could do better. I flew first class to DC from SEA and didn’t get water (they serve in a carton) and , meal was just ok. Coming back I at least got a blanket, which was welcomed. Nice Seattle Lounge in the N terminal though.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

It’s got some things that lack compared to the big 3 carriers. They do have their strengths however, like their cabin crews and service aspects being top tier

[@patriciafuchs5970]

Goold review😊

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Thanks!

[@bds990]

All I can see is the plugged back door!

[@TheSpoon444]

That's not an Alaskan native on the tail of the plane it's Jerry Garcia from the Greatfull Dead😂

[@artitaji9955]

Why they call First class instead of Biz class?

[@erauprcwa]

Because there's no difference between first and business classes in the US

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

I actually discussed this topic back in my recent AA first class video. It’s kinda a long story but has historic roots in the US. That’s why you’ll see international business class sold as “first class” on domestic routes

[@LatinJck]

Thanks for the great review as always - miss the Bay Area and brings lots of memories, but left because of the political climate and lost my business to the current Democratic policies of Sacramento and Newsome.I also remembered flying Virgin America all the time from SFO and love it, wish Brandon start something new again.

[@chrisryan9779]

I loved Virgin America, such great food onboard. Alaska was a huge downgrade and was always disappointed with their product, especially the food.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Not a day goes by that I don’t miss VX… ha!

[@mrtodd3620]

Airlines announce chef collaborations all the time, but the meals will still be made in the same kitchen that made your bacon and eggs. So why have they waited to upgrade their meals? If the same kitchen can make the good stuff in the future, why doesn't it make the good stuff now? Why hasn't the airline just asked the kitchen to come up with new menus even now?

[@erauprcwa]

The menus change every month.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

I hear you. I’m not sure what kind of role the chefs play in it, aside from designing the meal. I do think that kitchens like to showcase the chefs (instead of designing it themselves) to create more ties with the cities they fly to. I mean heck even British Airways had Texas BBQ on their Austin flights earlier this year to celebrate the routes anniversary

[@leplaisirdelire6890]

😊

[@hughofIreland]

The lounge looks great, but lie flat trumps it all; I’ll stick with United.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

I hear you on that. I do agree with the lie flats. The only thing I’ll say to defend Alaska, is that on the routes operated by both Alaska and United, United uses the same 2-2 setup on all but a select few

[@jwil4286]

I see what you mean. Given that Delta doesn’t have lie-flats on most routes I’m taking (I’m in Seattle, not San Francisco), Alaska is fine (and they’re great in other aspects too).

[@danielzang5929]

That is bad news for United Airline and Star Alliance members who like to fly to Hawaii?!😮

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

It will definitely make it interesting from a competition standpoint…..

[@jwil4286]

And Delta and SkyTeam Alliance members. (Puts pressure on United in SFO, Delta in SEA, and both in LAX)

[@acrichton0]

Boeing really screwed passengers with that bathroom design on the max. At least in first/business it should be a little bigger. I'm 6'4" and need to see a massage therapist after to fix my neck every time I have flown on these.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

The narrowbody lavs get tight. Not even just Boeing. At least these busier routes have widebodies on them on other airlines so you have the choices

[@jerrywilliams9053]

Alaska needs to update their Business class to lie flat. They also need to put in entertainment at each seat. They just don't want to move past the puddle jumper business and improve the product.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Idk if that’ll happen. In my upcoming video we will talk more about it, but they don’t feel that that’s needed for their route network, and the Hawaiian merger will put lie flats on those longer flights at least

[@erauprcwa]

IFE causes more problems than it helps. IFE breaks a lot on flight, it is also more expensive. Most individuals carry their own devices, so Alaska's model allows for people to have said entertainment on their personal devices and have made places in the seat backs to allow for someone to post their devices up like IFE. IFE is more expensive as stated AND it causes less seat space for each guest. Now, with the potential merger with Hawaiian, on wide body aircrafts seatback will continue to be a thing, but on the shorter under 8 hr flights, it's not entirely necessary.

[@EpicThe112]

If Alaska Airlines wants to help out American Airlines Oneworld Alliance against Star Alliance United Airlines on San Francisco/Seattle to Boston and Newark they might as well put in seatback entertainment options at the same time in Seattle & SFO feed the Pacific Ocean Oneworld Alliance partners QF🇦🇺 JL🇯🇵 CX🇭🇰 FJ. On the Boston Logan side it's the European partners BA🇬🇧/IB/AY. If you want to use a lounge for this flight you might as well get a non AA/AS🇺🇲 Oneworld Alliance FFQ like Asia Miles🇭🇰 JMB JL🇯🇵 Qantas FFQ 🇦🇺 BA Executive Club🇬🇧 MH Enrich🇲🇾you will be the only one in the lounge using it for domestic flights.

[@scottwalker8869]

I wonder if they sell twinkies in there?

[@ZombieKiller1965]

All those "local" restaurants at the airport are actually just chains. They just name the restaurants different in different cities. The menus are almost identical from city to city but with different branding. You have never noticed this because you do the lounge thing.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Not necessarily. Boudin and Peet’s are Bay Area staples 🤷‍♂️

[@ZombieKiller1965]

@@PatrickSheaAviation I shouldn't have said all. Most would have been a better choice.

[@christianbayerstein5243]

A 737 Max?? No thank you, I don't wanna die soon. Clearly prefer JetBlue with its A320 family.

[@YESHIVA2919]

Stop reading Wikipedia.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Are you mad that an informational video has *information*…..

[@cggs002]

In my opinion, it is Inappropriate for anyone traveling in First Class to wear shorts.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

In my opinion, why be uncomfortable when the people around you also don’t care

[@cggs002]

@@PatrickSheaAviation It is plain inappropriate and doubly so when this is your job. You should dress for success not like the other slobs.

[@celebrityrog]

Alaska doesn’t have a first class. They have economy and front of the plane economy. I’d never refer to Alaska as having a first class.

[@erauprcwa]

Are you comparing a European model to a US model? Because the two are NOT the same due to various government regulations and subsidies, something that US industry doesn't get from the federal government.

[@erik_griswold]

The AS First Class is just like any First Class you would see on the big three airlines. AA, DL or UA. Only when you luck out and get a wide-body aircraft from those three will the seating be nicer.

[@JUVI9596]

Harvey Milk. Gay terminal. Got it

[@chnalvr]

Harvey Milk was a politician and civil rights activist in the Bay Area who was murdered in his SF city council office in 1978 after George Moscone, the SF Mayor, had been murdered in his office moments before. As a local and international icon of civil rights and equality under the law for gay people, it's great and appropriate that the new SFO terminal is named in Harvey Milk's honor. He accomplished much in his short life.

[@JUVI9596]

@@chnalvr still gay though

[@chnalvr]

@@JUVI9596 Yes, the man was gay, not the airport terminal.

[@JUVI9596]

@@chnalvr everything is gay these days

[@markairplanenut5829]

you homophobes just HAVE to shout your hatred any chance you get. Go pack sand.

[@jimleon7894]

t,his really is not first class.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

It’s the domestic first class standard. Still better than the European business class setup which is basically just economy class with no middle seat

[@WilliamMurphy-b6v]

​@PatrickSheaAviation There is a middle seat. It exists. It is simply left unbooked or with a tray of some sort to keep anyone from sitting on that middle seat. No larger seat or more legroom than those same seats in economy.

[@stumbledotcom]

I don’t understand the praise Alaska receives. The vast majority of my flights with them have left me feeling meh. The only one I’d call outstanding was SFO-PDX-SFO in the late 90s. Back then they still served hot food in First during meal times so we had a quite nice salmon dinner going up albeit with the notorious prayer cards on the trays. The return was late evening so no meal but my husband and I were the only passengers in First. Kind of cool to have the entire cabin to ourselves. Unfortunately the flight attendant served one round of drinks then vanished into coach. Over the years, I’ve flown them periodically in both cabins though mostly upfront. They just don’t offer enough nonstops from SFO to pull me away from United.

[@PatrickSheaAviation]

Yea I hear that. It doesn’t work for everyone. It’s not my favorite either. But I do know a good amount of people who will only fly Alaska and love what they offer. They also make it easier to get OneWorld elite status (more so than AA at least). So I do understand it to some degree at least