I flew on Alaska Airlines from Seattle to New Jersey in economy and the Boeing 737 wasn't as amenity-heavy as competitors but I'd still book again

Taylor RainsOct 9, 2022, 18:11 IST

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines joined the Oneworld alliance in March 2021, joining carriers like Finnair and British Airways.
The carrier has been given awards for its inflight product and customer service.

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines is one of the US' biggest carriers, flying over 32 million passengers in 2021.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet.Shutterstock

The airline mostly operates routes on the West Coast from its bases in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Anchorage.

Alaska Airlines Disney plane.Alaska Airlines

However, it also flies to Canada, as well as eastbound to places like Boston and Tampa, and southbound to Mexico and Central America.

Alaska Airlines orca livery.Alaska Airlines

Recently, Alaska has expanded its international presence via its Oneworld alliance with carriers like American Airlines, British Airways, and Finnair.

American Airlines oneworld livery.Tupungato/Shutterstock

The carrier joined the global partnership in March 2021 and said in December the alliance would offer over 100 nonstop flights from the West Coast to Europe by summer 2022.

Alaska Airlines

The carrier joined the global partnership in March 2021 and said in December the alliance would offer over 100 nonstop flights from the West Coast to Europe by summer 2022.

"With the new Oneworld member airline flights to Europe and extensive connections at Alaska's hubs, the possibilities are endless for customers planning that long-awaited trip to Europe," Oneworld CEO Rob Gurney said in a press release.

American Airlines CEO Doug Parker (L), British Airways CEO Alex Cruz (2L), IAG CEO Willie Walsh (C), Oneworld CEO Rob Gurney (2R) and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce attend a press conference in London on February 1, 2019, with the chief executives of the airlines that form Oneworld Alliance.Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images

"With the new Oneworld member airline flights to Europe and extensive connections at Alaska's hubs, the possibilities are endless for customers planning that long-awaited trip to Europe," Oneworld CEO Rob Gurney said in a press release.

Alaska has also deepened its partnership with American to grow the pair's West Coast International Alliance, which was announced in February 2020.

Alaska AirlinesAaronP/Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images

The partnership compliments American's Northeast Alliance with JetBlue Airways.

American Airlines and JetBlue AirwaysNYC Russ/Shutterstock

While the pair already operated domestic codeshares before the announcement, the enhanced partnership will allow Alaska customers to seamlessly travel on American's international flights under one booking.

American Airlines and JetBlue AirwaysChris O'Meara/AP

While the pair already operated domestic codeshares before the announcement, the enhanced partnership will allow Alaska customers to seamlessly travel on American's international flights under one booking.

In addition to its extensive network, Alaska is known for its impressive product, ranking high in JD Power's 2022 annual airline satisfaction survey.

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 EcoDemonstrator.Thomas Pallini/Insider

Specifically, Alaska came in second behind JetBlue for its first class, and third for its premium class behind JetBlue and Delta Air Lines. Its regular economy product came in fifth but was still above the industry average.

Delta's domestic first class on its A321neo.Jennifer Bradley Franklin/Insider

Specifically, Alaska came in second behind JetBlue for its first class, and third for its premium class behind JetBlue and Delta Air Lines. Its regular economy product came in fifth but was still above the industry average.

The carrier also performed relatively well during the summer of travel chaos that saw thousands of flight disruptions due to staffing shortages and severe weather, among other factors.

Airport passengers wait in line during the travel chaos.James D. Morgan/Getty Images

The carrier also performed relatively well during the summer of travel chaos that saw thousands of flight disruptions due to staffing shortages and severe weather, among other factors.

From May 27 to September 13, Alaska only canceled 1% of its 77,410 total scheduled flights and delayed 18%, per FlightAware data. That compares to 3% and 26%, respectively, by the US' worst offender, American.

American's ticket counter in DC.Taylor Rains/Insider

From May 27 to September 13, Alaska only canceled 1% of its 77,410 total scheduled flights and delayed 18%, per FlightAware data. That compares to 3% and 26%, respectively, by the US' worst offender, American.