Alaska or American Airlines

[ADisneyQueen]

WHich would you choose for a six hour flight to LAX?

 

[NancyIL]

I am familiar with American and not with Alaska Airlines. If you collect frequent-flyer miles, they'll do you more good on American than on Alaska! All airlines have their problems, but in general I like American.

 

[mousepartygrl]

I would surely choose Alaska Airlines

 

[LucyKate]

I've flown both - as above, frequent flyer miles are probably of more use with American as Alaskan flights are mainly along the east coast.

But in terms of friendly, helpful service it was no contest - Alaskan was sensational.

On our flight to Seattle they alerted us in advance so we could see Mt St Helens and Mt Rainier, and the plane was even dipped slightly to that side to give a better view.

At check in they didn't bother werighing bags or enforcing limits.

The staff were friendly, great with the kids and very funny. As we left Vegas the flight attendant said "all of those on the right hand side of the plane can wave good bye to your money as we take take off". As we neared Seattle she informed us that the "weather in Seattle is 40 degree and raining. It will stay that way until June when it will be 41 and raining" and she also told us that during the flight we would be served a drink and a bag of pretzels "containing precisely 12 pretzels".

Should add - the reason we chose them was because their fares were the lowest, so I was pleasantly surprised the planes and service were so good as well.

 

[karylrocks]

We always fly Alaska because they have the lowest price and best times on their non-stop to SNA. I have never had any problems with them. I can't remember all the funny things they were saying on our last flight, but it was something along the lines of "the person sitting next to you can be used as a floatation device". Then there is always that hope that you will get one of the Disney planes - I got one once but it was on a flight from Las Vegas to Portland.

 

[JennyG999]

Not sure if this is too late, but another vote for Alaska!! (Plus, their miles are interchangeable with American).

I used to travel up to Vancouver weekly on Alaska for almost a year, and in that many flights, I never had a bad experience. Even what could have been "bad" ended up being minor inconveniences due to their proactive customer service.

Also, while I was travelling with them, I noticed they often had a "kids fly free" program (to Disney or Mexico.)

 

[lark]

If you book with Alaska, book through their web site rather than using an online travel agency.

Alaska is one of the easiest airlines if you need to make changes or things, but only if you've booked through them. Their online system for online bookings is great.

 

[noryglory]

Another vote for Alaska, hands down. You can use their miles on loads of other airlines, in fact I think we used Alaska miles to fly American to Hawaii!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Alaska is my favorite airline ! My Dh'd too.....He loves the free beer !

 

[abby]

I vote for Alaska air also, great customer service and reasonable fares. Never had one running late either.

 

[only1mouse]

One more vote for Alaska. I fly them at least twice a month from Oregon to California. As a previous poster stated, Alaska and American are partner airlines, meaning you can use mileage redemption on either.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Another vote for Alaska. Their frequent flyer program has always been good (rated the best of US carriers over the last several years because they have partnerships with a number of airlines and require the fewest miles for a ticket) and service was just rated #1 in Conde Nast Traveler for US split (first/coach) class airlines. I would definitely book tickets directly through their site...easy to use and their internet only fares are cheaper than purchasing elsewhere (and as someone else has pointed out, they are much more responsive to customer needs if you've purchased the flight directly from them).

PS. I thought the days of free beer were long gone. My memory was that the free drinks were on Horizon (Alaska's short haul partner).

 

[noryglory]

Free beer? Who said free beer?!?

We fly Alaska all the time and I've never had any free beer! But the snacks they provide are always a bit "above" the lousy peanuts you get on other carriers.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Alaska is my favorite airline ! My Dh'd too.....He loves the free beer !

Here's the quote about the free beer. I had a colleague who flew Horizon all the time who talked about the fact that she could hardly wait to get her free split of wine on the flight. This was a few years ago...I have no idea if Horizon is still doing that.

 

[Judy from Boise]

You know it very well may be Horizon, I mix them up in my mind as the same airline.......but we always get free beer or wine when we fly them, along with great snacks !