Alaska Air or Virgin America

[SeansMom]

Virgin America has some great deals out of Seattle to LAX. But we live a little closer to Portland and love to fly into SNA (Orange County). I have no idea why this detail is holding me up, but there you have it.

So, what would you do? Save bucks but take the longer flight and longer drive, or go with good ole' Alaska and pay more and save the flight time and the transportation time to DL.

 

[NWPrincess]

I think it depends if you have a frequent flier account with Alaska. They are running a special right now--double miles between Seattle and SoCal (not sure about Portland). Anyhow, the miles are worth it if you use them a lot. Also, you could wait to see if their prices go down (they have their bargain page with certain flights on their website that is usually a few months in advance).

Otherwise, it's hard to turn down the great deals with Virgin! I'm tempted to fly with them in September, but I will probably wind up using my miles for reward travel with Alaska.

 

[splash5]

Funny you should mention this. We usually fly from PDX as well and into SNA. I got the deal about Virgin Atlantic for $79 ea way. We live about an hour from PDX, so it adds about another hour and a half (give or take) for us to go to Seattle. I have heard so many good things about Virgin Atlantic, that I decided to just do it!! We payed an extra $15 per seat for more leg room to get bulkhead seating. It sounded like the extra amenities would make it worthwhile. I'm looking forward to changing it up a little this time. We are going on May 10. I'll let you know how it is if your trip is later.

Have fun!!

 

[staley7580]

Ha! This is crazy, because I was checking it out too. I live closer to Seattle, but I was just going to book Alaska Air, til I found the Virgin American deal.. I am going with Virgin American... I am even going for 1st class, since it is only a little bit more.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I would love to fly on Virgin... I really like Alaska... but have heard great things about Virgin...

The other airline I like for long flights (when we go to Cancun) is Frontier... I will go out of my way to fly with them... they are wonderful! DD loves her own tv with the disney channel on those flights!

--Lisa

 

[bumbershoot]

On one hand I'm so happy to have found out about yet another airline doing these routes!

But for those of you closer to PDX, please be sure you're thinking about paying to park at Seatac. I don't know what the parking costs are for PDX, but they are sky high at seatac. You could easily drop all of your savings in the time, gas, and parking costs up here...

So definitely look into the off-site places!



Looked up PDX...economy lot is $8/day, 7th day free. seatac is 26/day. (or a $130 weekly rate if staying over 5 but no more than 7 days, which is more of a bargain compared to itself, but not compared to pdx) Be sure to run ALL the numbers! I didn't do that with our flight to ONT, then only later realized that the $50 shuttle trip from ONT would have been $20 from SNA (I was thinking it would be $50 from any airport).

 

[SeansMom]

But for those of you closer to PDX, please be sure you're thinking about paying to park at Seatac. I don't know what the parking costs are for PDX, but they are sky high at seatac. You could easily drop all of your savings in the time, gas, and parking costs up here...
Looked up PDX...economy lot is $8/day, 7th day free. seatac is 26/day.

Wow! Thanks for all the responses, especially your info on parking, bumbershoot. I never would have expected parking to make such an impact. Guess we'd need to factor in the parking cost, or "shuttle to airport" or "pay for gas to have friend/relative drive" if we go the seatac route.

But like everyone else has said...the lure of a new plane with lots of things to play with is tempting, and the price is right. Of course, since it's new they have much more availability for seats than Alaska does right now, too.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm glad I could help. I HATE the costs at seatac, and frankly, their parking structures are awful and not worth it. Any parking structure that makes you dizzy while entering or leaving is ridiculous. And it's so dimly lit, too. The high cost isn't expected for this area, as far as I am concerned...Boston, NYC, Chicago...I'd expect that, but Seattle? No, I don't expect it.

But the Master Park type places are plentiful and pretty safe.

And the HUGE window overlooking the tarmac, once you get through security, is AMAZING. Plus, the food prices at the airport are supposed to be "street" cost, so you're not dropping the usual ton of money at another airport. And that's nice. Not to mention...Starbucks everywhere.

But we never park there if we can help it at all.

 

[winewooltravel]

Alaska! Fly Alaska!

I have a vested interest since hubby flies for Alaska (full disclosure )

Brand loyalty! Parking! Nice flight attendants! Best of all, keep our profits up so hubby isn't furloughed and pay isn't cut!!!

Alaska!!! I vote Alaska!!

(I mean this in all fun...hopefully no one is offended )

 

[SeansMom]

Alaska! Fly Alaska!

I have a vested interest since hubby flies for Alaska (full disclosure )

Brand loyalty! Parking! Nice flight attendants! Best of all, keep our profits up so hubby isn't furloughed and pay isn't cut!!!

Alaska!!! I vote Alaska!!

(I mean this in all fun...hopefully no one is offended )

Thanks for a good giggle! Now, if he could get me good seats . One of the things I've grown to dislike about Alaska is that they reserve the first half of the plane for MVP customers (I think...in any case you can't reserve seats in the front of the plane online). So, even if you book way out, you get seats way back in the plane unless you cough up a big fare. Last time we flew I called about a week before and was assured there were plenty of seats up front and we could change them at check in. At check in, we were placed further back than before, in order to not seperate out group of six. Maybe with Virgin's competition they'll play nicer?
Just a vent...other than that we've had some nice pilots take the time to show our son (when he was turning 8) the cockpit and explain things to him, and they also took time with our 6 year old niece on another flight.

 

[staley7580]

On one hand I'm so happy to have found out about yet another airline doing these routes!

But for those of you closer to PDX, please be sure you're thinking about paying to park at Seatac. I don't know what the parking costs are for PDX, but they are sky high at seatac. You could easily drop all of your savings in the time, gas, and parking costs up here...

So definitely look into the off-site places!



Looked up PDX...economy lot is $8/day, 7th day free. seatac is 26/day. (or a $130 weekly rate if staying over 5 but no more than 7 days, which is more of a bargain compared to itself, but not compared to pdx) Be sure to run ALL the numbers! I didn't do that with our flight to ONT, then only later realized that the $50 shuttle trip from ONT would have been $20 from SNA (I was thinking it would be $50 from any airport).

We always use MAsterpark. Love it. On our last trip, we had a coupon and it only cost $80 for 8 days. They are secured, and its right across from the airport.. The shuttle is great, and the drivers always help us with our crap load of luggage!

 

[got2travel]

Just flew Virgin this weekend and I have to say I like Alaska better. Yes Virgin has new planes, with leather seats and TVs. But I wasn't impressed. There are no free snacks, just drinks. I know most airlines are headed that way, but geez, not even pretzels. And the TVs were not all they were cracked up to be. Limited selection, all movies were $7, and there were only about 6 or 7 games, only 1 interested me. I've always gotten great service from Alaska and try to fly them whenever I can, which unfortunately is not too often.

The difference between SNA and LAX didn't bother me at all. I didn't encounter any heavy traffic. The security lines weren't bad. And the shuttle to the rental cars was fine. Did have a little trouble finding the rental car return, but that's because I didn't print myself return driving directions.

 

[winewooltravel]

Thanks for a good giggle! Now, if he could get me good seats . One of the things I've grown to dislike about Alaska is that they reserve the first half of the plane for MVP customers (I think...in any case you can't reserve seats in the front of the plane online). So, even if you book way out, you get seats way back in the plane unless you cough up a big fare. Last time we flew I called about a week before and was assured there were plenty of seats up front and we could change them at check in. At check in, we were placed further back than before, in order to not seperate out group of six. Maybe with Virgin's competition they'll play nicer?
Just a vent...other than that we've had some nice pilots take the time to show our son (when he was turning 8) the cockpit and explain things to him, and they also took time with our 6 year old niece on another flight.

I wish I could give you a great answer, or wonderful seats!! I'd hand 'em out like candy!! We always fly standby, so if it's any consolation we will always have worse seats than you Also, we are never together unless we can check in verrrrry early and find a few seats together. I suggest the self-check in because you can see what's available and pick accordingly. It's a pretty cool little deal. I have no idea about the MVP stuff....but, then again, hubby always tells us to get seats over the wing or in the rear of the aircraft. Those are the two safest spots, usually, although not always the most pleasant.

Whoever you fly, I hope you have a good time!!!

 

[rszdtrvl]

We are closer to SeaTac, but are choosing to fly out of Portland instead.

I love the parking structure at PDX. Plus, it is not as crazy of a drive, AND the airport is smaller.

I was not sure what the parking price was, but we can definitely handle $8/day!!

 

[trodrigue]

On one hand I'm so happy to have found out about yet another airline doing these routes!

But for those of you closer to PDX, please be sure you're thinking about paying to park at Seatac. I don't know what the parking costs are for PDX, but they are sky high at seatac. You could easily drop all of your savings in the time, gas, and parking costs up here...

So definitely look into the off-site places!



Looked up PDX...economy lot is $8/day, 7th day free. seatac is 26/day. (or a $130 weekly rate if staying over 5 but no more than 7 days, which is more of a bargain compared to itself, but not compared to pdx) Be sure to run ALL the numbers! I didn't do that with our flight to ONT, then only later realized that the $50 shuttle trip from ONT would have been $20 from SNA (I was thinking it would be $50 from any airport).

Wow! I always go to MasterPark.com and get a coupon for about $10 per day for valet parking at Seatac. I have friends with a favorite lot for about $5. per day. I would never pay $26!

 

[staley7580]

Wow! I always go to MasterPark.com and get a coupon for about $10 per day for valet parking at Seatac. I have friends with a favorite lot for about $5. per day. I would never pay $26!

Me neither!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Just flew Virgin this weekend and I have to say I like Alaska better. Yes Virgin has new planes, with leather seats and TVs. But I wasn't impressed. There are no free snacks, just drinks. I know most airlines are headed that way, but geez, not even pretzels. And the TVs were not all they were cracked up to be. Limited selection, all movies were $7, and there were only about 6 or 7 games, only 1 interested me. I've always gotten great service from Alaska and try to fly them whenever I can, which unfortunately is not too often.

I'm flying Virgin next month for the first time. I've seen advertising for outlets at each seat, like the standard kind you can plug in ipod chargers or laptops. Is this true....were there standard outlets at each seat?

Thanks

 

[got2travel]

I'm flying Virgin next month for the first time. I've seen advertising for outlets at each seat, like the standard kind you can plug in ipod chargers or laptops. Is this true....were there standard outlets at each seat?

Thanks

Yes, they did have outlets right under each seat.

 

[splash5]

If you fly out of PDX, you should use the economy lot. It charges $8.00 per day and there are shuttles that come by all the time to take you to the airport. Don't park in the parking garage or you will pay a fortune. Use either the red or blue economy lot.

We got a coupon for Wally Park at Sea Tac - one day free. Check it out. The Sea Tac parking garage is like $25 per day.

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

people in seattle jetblue will be running by the end of may to longbeach area.

You can actually book flights now if your going at the end of may.