I’m not a pro flyer, but I’ve been to Hawaii like 5 times in the last few years. Alaska seems to be the most affordable first class, and nicer staff + good on time rate vs other carriers to Hawaii. Also you get sfo lounge access included, while cheapskate United does not let you enter their lounge with domestic first class ticket. My kids like Alaska too.
Just as a FYI the Best Western / Plaza Hotel is the main hotel voucher hotel for “distressed passengers” who had their flights cancelled / rebooked. Also quite a significant amount of their business is USO / military as well.
🍍The good thing is Alaska has very good chance to upgrade even if you are just a MVP. I'm also based in SFO/SJC and it's almost impossible to get upgrade with United
Too many elite members for SFO. It's basically 1K/GS or bust. UA has 47% market share compared to 12%/8%/6% for AS/DL/AA. Consultants and FF end up picking UA given routes and frequency, so you're fighting less people that have top level status :)
Disecting travel into subsections and naming them with letters are somehow very helpful to digest. Very good editing.. Helped me understand alaskan air and HNL airport
My now deceased Avios sweet spot was Alaska FC availability from SEA to ONT for 16.5k (once had a round trip for 26k during a 30% transfer bonus). That was also when an FC tix had access to the Alaska Lounge in Seattle. The good times never last!
When I fly Alaska 1st I always get pre departure drinks, surprised you didn't get that. It's supposed to be offered by them. Also don't forget free lounge access if you have longer flights (2k miles or longer, such as to Hawaii) Also seats are different on newer planes and are getting updated with legrests. Always love flying Alaska, great staff, good food, comfortable and roomy seats, amazing loyalty program.
🍍- Based in Portland, Alaska is my go to airline. First class is a great product and reliable. Premium class is good and guaranteed for MVP Gold Members.
Love these types of videos. When I travel with my best friend I always imagine we are making these types of videos 😊. One day we will recreate the Bora Bora trip maybe lol
They don’t have tv screens or “entertainment systems” cause everyone uses their own personal devices now, so it’s much more efficient and better for the passenger to just their iPad or iPhone to watch movies, so if you go to the WiFi you can watch all the same movies and see your flight live just like any other screen on your seat.
I would argue that's still a disadvantage though and worth mentioning if you're comparing F products from US to Hawaii. Especially when a lot of competitors have it (i.e., UA 777, HA 787, etc.)
@@SebbyFung they had lovely Halston designed uniforms in ultra suede complete w/ stews with their noses on high beam hah! I guess if I was stew in Halston back then I would be impressed with myself lol!
Depends on your airport. I would pick one of the top 2 for market share. By the virtue of the card itself? Delta if you can use the credits organically. Otherwise United Quest or Southwest Priority are solid too.
🍍 You’re right dark meats would work better. The beef option on the way back from HNL was better in my book but still a little overcooked. I made the mistake of pouring the salad dressing over my salmon but liked it much more because of that.
Mostly to explain how we got the upgrade (via elite status), and how we got the status (AS match to DL elite members in late 2023). Context = can't really complain about an "unearned" upgrade (neither paid, used miles, or earned AS status in the standard ways).
I’m not a pro flyer, but I’ve been to Hawaii like 5 times in the last few years. Alaska seems to be the most affordable first class, and nicer staff + good on time rate vs other carriers to Hawaii. Also you get sfo lounge access included, while cheapskate United does not let you enter their lounge with domestic first class ticket. My kids like Alaska too.
Thanks for giving me something to watch on a Sunday
Thanks for watching!
Probably a good use of Alaska card companion fare certificate
Just as a FYI the Best Western / Plaza Hotel is the main hotel voucher hotel for “distressed passengers” who had their flights cancelled / rebooked. Also quite a significant amount of their business is USO / military as well.
🍍The good thing is Alaska has very good chance to upgrade even if you are just a MVP. I'm also based in SFO/SJC and it's almost impossible to get upgrade with United
Must depend on the route, I went LAX to Costa Rica as an AA platinum and was 8/10 on the list
Too many elite members for SFO. It's basically 1K/GS or bust.
UA has 47% market share compared to 12%/8%/6% for AS/DL/AA.
Consultants and FF end up picking UA given routes and frequency, so you're fighting less people that have top level status :)
Out of SEA/PAE it’s a lot harder to get upgraded
Disecting travel into subsections and naming them with letters are somehow very helpful to digest. Very good editing..
Helped me understand alaskan air and HNL airport
I love alaska. Good old fashioned, great burger, amazing cookies.
Why do these microphones sound like you are underwater?
It's the plane background noise. Tough to have clear audio on a plane.
Great trip report!
My now deceased Avios sweet spot was Alaska FC availability from SEA to ONT for 16.5k (once had a round trip for 26k during a 30% transfer bonus).
That was also when an FC tix had access to the Alaska Lounge in Seattle. The good times never last!
When I fly Alaska 1st I always get pre departure drinks, surprised you didn't get that. It's supposed to be offered by them. Also don't forget free lounge access if you have longer flights (2k miles or longer, such as to Hawaii)
Also seats are different on newer planes and are getting updated with legrests.
Always love flying Alaska, great staff, good food, comfortable and roomy seats, amazing loyalty program.
Free lounge access on 2.1K+ flights only if paid to be in first class. They were upgraded and therefore ineligible.
It's pretty mixed if Alaska offers PDB
🍍- Based in Portland, Alaska is my go to airline. First class is a great product and reliable. Premium class is good and guaranteed for MVP Gold Members.
Love these types of videos. When I travel with my best friend I always imagine we are making these types of videos 😊. One day we will recreate the Bora Bora trip maybe lol
14:30 Funny how a pineapple represents other things in travel videos. Cruise ships in particular!
Only if it's upside down though! lol
@@SebbyFung Wasn't aware of that. Thanks for the info!
Sending my love. The Prince of Peace 🕊️
🍍 Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
They don’t have tv screens or “entertainment systems” cause everyone uses their own personal devices now, so it’s much more efficient and better for the passenger to just their iPad or iPhone to watch movies, so if you go to the WiFi you can watch all the same movies and see your flight live just like any other screen on your seat.
I would argue that's still a disadvantage though and worth mentioning if you're comparing F products from US to Hawaii. Especially when a lot of competitors have it (i.e., UA 777, HA 787, etc.)
Would LOVE for them (or any airline that doesn't have an IFE) to add in "ledges" so that phones / tablets could be easily placed though :)
🍍 I'd be open to using points depending on the cash price. As a bigger guy, it is probably worth having the larger seat.
🍍 thanks for the review!
I wouldn’t use my points however, I loved the review. 🍍
Thanks!
🍍🌺 fried rice is always great for breakfast! I've only flown 1st class on braniff airlines (yes I'm dating myself).
Wow, thanks for that rabbit hole :) Didn't realize Hyatt backed an airline way back when!
@@SebbyFung they had lovely Halston designed uniforms in ultra suede complete w/ stews with their noses on high beam hah! I guess if I was stew in Halston back then I would be impressed with myself lol!
🍍 I have flown alaska first class twice, both sub 30min flights.
Did you guys review Air Canada Signature? I wonder how it compares to Polaris from your POV?
On the list :) Let me know how you like it if you review it before me haha
I think it’s time we start demanding lie flat seats in business class on flights 5hours or longer
That might take awhile to renovate all the planes 😬
On a Delta 321 neo in first watching. I'm with Mandy, this is nicer
Nice!
🍍 if you could pick one airline card what would it be? Delta, Alaska, United, SW etc…?
Depends on your airport. I would pick one of the top 2 for market share. By the virtue of the card itself?
Delta if you can use the credits organically. Otherwise United Quest or Southwest Priority are solid too.
The fact that Fruit and Cheese plate from economy is available in first as an entree is a sign their catering department or partner is terrible.
Sebby, have you flown Hawaiian first class? if so, how do you think Alaska compares to Hawaiian?
Yes, flew the new dreamliner back. Awesome product!
I pointed out the crumbs between seats via an email, nothing. Alaska did not even bother replying.
Business could be good I guess.
:(
I feel that Alaskan food is subpar
Definitely room for improvement :)
I thought that First Class were given out tablets to watch videos?
Really? That wasn’t offered to us.
That’s not a thing anymore
@@SebbyFung I guess they stopped doing this.
🍍🍍🍍
Alaska needs to overhaul their food department. It’s A.W.F.U.L.
Beautiful Wife you got there
🫠
👉🏼Stay away from Boeing aircraft’s until they get their act together…your life is more valuable than their bottom line…
42% of planes are Boeings though. 115,000 planes fly daily that are Boeing. Relatively immaterial in the grand scheme of things.
Love your food scoring system. Amongst my foodie friend circle we employ a similar system to expeditiously convey an understandable review
Haha, glad I’m not the only one.
Alaska Airlines is a great plane to fly.
🍍 You’re right dark meats would work better. The beef option on the way back from HNL was better in my book but still a little overcooked. I made the mistake of pouring the salad dressing over my salmon but liked it much more because of that.
It's good dressing 🤤 lol
Seems pretty mundane
Most of the US-Hawaii flights, save for the new HA Dreamliner, are pretty mundane.
You guys awesome
You are on Alaska, why talk about Delta?
Mostly to explain how we got the upgrade (via elite status), and how we got the status (AS match to DL elite members in late 2023). Context = can't really complain about an "unearned" upgrade (neither paid, used miles, or earned AS status in the standard ways).