Alaska Airlines

I do not enjoy flying at all, but Alaska takes the frustrating out of flying with their excellent customer service and efficient processes.
Their customer service, from the phone to the web to the airport to the air, is always incredible. I have had harrowing experiences with other airlines that leave me jaded and always a bit leery when I have to interact with airline staff. Alaska Airlines has never been a nightmare; in fact, they make things SO easy. They answer their phones quickly, and the biggest thing– their people actually listen to you before spouting off an answer. It’s really frustrating when you are trying to communicate a need and someone doesn’t actually listen to what you are saying and spouts off something that has nothing to do with your request. I have never had that experience with Alaska.
Alaska is also the most efficient airline I have ever been on. No matter where I board a plane, I find everyone to be fast and moving people and things from point A to point B. Most recently, I had a flight that was delayed due to bad weather (delayed flights have rarely happened in my experience with Alaska, and they always keep you well informed), but they managed to get people on and off the plane so quickly that we still arrived at our destination on time.
Last thing about Alaska, and you won’t have to see this side of them often, is that they really care when they haven’t met your expectations. Service recovery is taken very seriously.
Alaska is my airline of choice, and I look forward to continued flights with them.

I recently was in St. Louis and needing to travel to Seattle. As non-​stop options from St. Louis are limited to Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines (which I generally avoid flying), I looked no further than Alaska. Alaska Airlines is relatively new to the St. Louis scene but I’ve flown them up and down the West Coast for nearly 15 years and several times from my home in Boston to Portland and Seattle.
Alaska operates from Terminal One (formerly know as the main terminal) and is handled by Delta Air Lines uniformed personnel. I arrived at the airport 60 minutes prior to my flight which proved to be more than sufficient time for this airport. There were a few people in line ahead of me at the Alaska counter to check a bag but I didn’t wait more than five minutes or so which is to be expected. The agent greeted me and tagged my baggage to Seattle. Although I had already checked in online with a mobile boarding pass (paperless) the agent had reprinted a boarding pass for me without my me asking.
As a Delta Air Lines Gold Medallion, I receive free checked baggage on Alaska Airlines and complimentary space available upgrades on Alaska. In practice upgrades are few and far between but I scored an upgrade on this route that evening. Also worth noting American Airlines elite members receive priority boarding, economy seats, and waived baggage charges but do NOT currently receive upgrades on Alaska Air.
I proceeded through the TSA security checkpoint to the A concourse in all but ten minutes. Overall the A concourse leaves a lot to be desired. First off, seating is scarce in this area and dining options are very limited. I recognize Lambert Airport has come a long way but it still far behind other US airports (let alone leading international airports) in terms of facilities and amenities. Delta Air Lines does not have a SkyClub in St. Louis so everyone waits at Alaska’s designated Delta gate A4.
Overall, the flight was uneventful and consistent with my other experiences with Alaska Air. Flight attendants served water before departure and collected my jacket upon boarding. After take-​off warm mixed nuts and choice of beverage was served and Digeplayers (media players) were distributed in first class free of charge and available for a charge in economy. Dinner service consisted of a beef medallion with mixed greens served with choice of wine. Dinner was followed by chocolate chip cookies and Starbucks Pikes Place roast coffee.
In economy class Alaska Airlines has a competitive product that is inline with other major airlines. Passengers receive complimentary beverage service (Coca-​Cola products, juices, bottled water, Starbucks Coffee) along with packaged snack free of charge. Buy on board hot sandwiches, pastas, and fruit/​cheese plates are available and both tasty and a good value compared to other carriers.
Next time I need to fly from St. Louis to Seattle, I’ll take Alaska any day over the alternatives.