Is Premium Class worth it on Alaska Airlines?
In a nutshell: Alaska Airlines 737-900 Premium Class is one of the better extra-legroom economy products offered by U.S. carriers. The warm service, free beverages, and three extra inches of space could be worth the premium for a cross-country haul.Apr 5, 2020
What does Premium Class on Alaska include?
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 flights over 350 miles. Board early, access overhead bin space and be among the first to deplane.
Is Premium Class the same as first class Alaska?
Types of Alaska Airlines Upgrades First, some clarifications: Alaska Airlines defines its Premium Class as those seats toward the front of the main cabin; they have 4 inches of additional legroom, include early boarding, and provide complimentary alcoholic beverages.Dec 29, 2021
Is premium the same as first class?
Unlike economy plus and preferred seats that just offer additional legroom, premium economy seats on long-haul flights feature dimensions similar to the recliners familiar to domestic first-class passengers. At 19 to 20 inches wide, these seats offer enough space to truly have an impact on sleep.Nov 13, 2019
What's the difference between Premium Class and main cabin on Alaska Airlines?
Premium Class seats are located in the front portion of the main cabin, allowing for faster boarding and deplaning. The new section offers an additional four inches of legroom, with 35 inches of space between rows, compared to the 31 to 32 inches between rows in the rest of the main cabin.
Is Alaska still blocking middle seats?
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.Jun 1, 2021
What is Premium Class flight?
Premium economy is actually a standalone cabin that sits right between business and economy, both physically and in terms of amenities and services. U.S. and international airlines offer premium economy classes on certain long-haul international flights.Jun 12, 2019
Does Alaska have free WiFi?
Alaska Airlines wifi is offered FREE to all passengers onboard Alaska Airlines flights. It has streaming-fast speeds that allow you to binge-watch your favorite shows, use messaging apps, or even do some online shopping just like how you'd do it on the ground.Mar 4, 2022
Which rows are premium on Alaska?
Premium Class seats are located in the front portion of the main cabin, allowing for faster boarding and deplaning. The new section offers an additional four inches of legroom, with 35 inches of space between rows, compared to the 31 to 32 inches between rows in the rest of the main cabin.Nov 10, 2016
How does premium economy look like?
Typically, premium economy will provide about 5-7 extra inches of legroom, plus 1-2 extra inches of seat width and 2-3 extra inches of recline. On a 12+ hour flight, every inch counts, and you're likely to have more room than you would on a short regional flight.Feb 4, 2022
Can you sleep in premium economy?
1. Splurge on first class (or premium economy). First-class lie-flat seats are optimal for a mid-flight snooze, thanks to their ample space and privacy, but there are ways to make sure that your trip is comfortable without splurging on a pricey ticket.Mar 29, 2021
Which is the cheapest class in flight?
Economy/third class (ekonomi)–the lowest and cheapest class, below the premium class tickets are around 20% of business classes.
Why Alaska Air Premium Class?
As I mentioned in the Snowy Seattle trip report introduction, Mrs. Island Miler and I traveled to Seattle last month to visit an ill family member. We wanted to spend Christmas with those in Seattle but decided to book the trip at the last minute.
Premium Class Benefits
Alaska Air’s Premium Class is, like many other airlines, just standard economy with extra space. That extra space is four inches of pitch, to be exact. Other benefits include priority boarding and complimentary beverages. All other benefits like power outlets are available in standard economy too.
Airport Experience
Mrs. Island Miler and I flew out a week before Christmas, and while the Honolulu International Daniel K. Inouye International Airport was busy, it wasn’t too bad. After dropping our pre-tagged bags off at the Alaska counter, we breezed through TSA Pre-Check and headed to the food court.
Boarding
A little before boarding, we headed over to our boarding gate, Gate 24 in the Central Concourse. The area was crowded, which wasn’t surprising, as our flight was full.
Seats
As stated earlier, Premium Class is just standard economy seats with extra room. In this cabin, you receive a full 36 inches of pitch, which is nice. But the padding is still thin as hell, you still have to pay to rent the tablets, and food still isn’t free.
AS 860 HNL-SEA
After taxiing for 15 minutes, our pilot eased onto the throttle and began our takeoff roll at 11:09 pm. Our flight was scheduled for six hours. However, our pilot informed us that we’d have a quick, 4 hour 55 minutes flight.
Alaska Air Premium Class HNL-SEA, Final Thoughts
Premium Class on Alaska Airlines is a fine product. The extra leg space is welcome, and the free drinks could make it worthwhile. However, I feel like the biggest benefit is the early-ish boarding. This time around we didn’t have to gate-check our bags, unlike the last few times we flew on Alaska.
What is the most expensive award in Alaska?
The “Z” fare class is Alaska’s most expensive award prices, and any elite member who books a Z class award will be eligible for a space-available, instant upgrade to first class. Note that first class upgrades on Alaska clear into the U fare class, and you can use ExpertFlyer to search for this award space.
How many Gold Guest Upgrade Certificates are there in Alaska?
In addition to unlimited complimentary upgrades, any traveler qualifying for Alaska MVP Gold status receives four Gold Guest Upgrade Certificates each year. (You don’t receive any additional ones for reaching MVP Gold 75K.) These certificates can be used to instantly upgrade friends or family members who are not traveling with you, or to upgrade yourself on fares that don’t qualify for instant awards. Like all other upgrades, you need available “U” first class inventory for these to clear, and there are a few more restrictions to be aware of:
How many elite tiers does Alaska Airlines have?
Alaska Airlines has three tiers of elite status — MVP, MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K. While you might earn these the old-fashioned way by actually flying on Alaska, many people will also wind up with one of these elite tiers by crediting flights on partner airlines such as British Airways to Alaska in order to earn more valuable miles.
How many miles can you earn on Delta in 2021?
Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help you reach Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
Can you upgrade to premium class on Alaska Airlines?
Upgrades to Premium Class may clear instantly at the the time of booking, depending on your elite status and fare class (though Saver tickets in X fare class, Alaska’s version of basic economy, aren’t eligible for upgrades at all).
Does Alaska Airlines offer cash upgrades?
Alaska Airlines offers unlimited, complimentary upgrades to all of its elite members and also offers attractively priced cash upgrades for non-elites within 24 hours of departure, giving you plenty of options to choose from if you’re looking to stretch your legs the next time you fly Alaska.
Can you upgrade Alaska Airlines first class?
Even if you don’t have elite status with Alaska, it’s possible to upgrade eligible tickets as well. As noted above, all first class upgrades, whether they’re complimentary or paid, are contingent on the availability of “U” inventory. This is where ExpertFlyer comes in, letting you easily search for a specific fare code.
