Every prudent air traveler wants to get the best deal possible on their airline tickets. As spring approaches, more competition in Alaska makes those deals easier to find.
Low prices are an important consideration when you're choosing your flights, but it's not the only variable. Frequent-flier plans, flight schedules and dependability all are factors when you're buying a ticket.
Today's technology allows airlines to change prices at a moment's notice. What's not so flexible is an airline's service mix. Many carriers are seeking to differentiate themselves with better seating, more generous frequent-flier plans or other special programs.
Alaska Airlines recently launched a new initiative dubbed "Beyond." They renamed their in-flight magazine, replaced their digEplayer entertainment system and upgraded their food and beverage options. Travelers between Anchorage and Seattle may already have noticed some differences.
Last week, Alaska Airlines hosted a "flight to nowhere" from the Museum of Flight at Seattle's Boeing Field to show off the new offers. Two of the airline's chief pilots flew a new 737-900ER plane north from Sea-Tac and taxied it right up to the front door of the museum, taking up about half of the parking lot. A collection of elite-level frequent fliers, company officials, suppliers and media tromped up the air stairs to take their seats. Joe Sprague, Alaska's senior vice president of communications, said, "We want to make the journey part of the adventure."
Ever since Alaska Airlines started rolling out in-flight Internet with Gogo, I've been a frequent surfer. But for travelers across Canada to Chicago or over the ocean to Hawaii, that option was not available. Alaska's new in-flight entertainment system features a couple of new options for watching movies, listening to music or reading online magazines.
1. Travelers can stream TV shows or movies to their smartphone, tablet or laptop from the plane's on-board server. You don't have to buy a Gogo Internet session to get this. You do, however, need to download the Gogo video player on to your device. It's best if you do so before your flight. While there are free shows, there also are premium offers that start at $1.99 per session.
To accommodate your personal devices, most of Alaska's planes (except the 737-400 combis, which are due to be retired) are being configured with power outlets in the back of the seats. Right now, the newer 737-800s and -900s all have been upgraded with the skinnier Recaro seats and the power outlets.
2. You can rent the new 8-inch tablet, engineered for Alaska Airlines by Skycast Solutions. From Anchorage, you'll find these available on all of the interstate nonstops. The rental cost is $8-$10 in coach. First-class travelers and MVP Gold 75K frequent flyers can use the devices at no additional charge. Greg Latimer, Skycast's president, works with several of the major Hollywood studios to provide popular movies to travelers while they're still in theaters. "Our tablets feature releases like 'Selma,' 'Night at the Museum,' 'Annie,' " he said. Additionally, the Windows-based tablets (8-inch Toshiba Encore II) feature popular TV shows like "Big Bang Theory" and "Scandal," as well as online magazines like National Geographic and Conde Naste Traveler.
Travelers also can use the tablet to surf the Internet, accessing Gogo's air-to-ground service. This is not available to Hawaii or between Anchorage and Chicago. If you are going on more than one flight, be sure and select the all-day pass for $11. That's cheaper than getting individual passes for each flight.
Three-time James Beard award-winning Seattle chef Tom Douglas was on board the flight showing off some of his new menu options, designed specifically for Alaska Airlines. On board right now is a red miso ginger chicken dish for $8. On our flight, Douglas previewed a new barbecue chicken sandwich with a tangy coleslaw on the side. But he's anxious to get more Alaska salmon on the menu. "My goal is to get wild Alaska salmon on the menu on a regular basis," he said. Not only did Douglas help pass out the the snacks, he also returned with the flight attendants to collect the trash afterward.
On the beverage front, Alaska Airlines has introduced spirits (rum, gin and vodka) from Seattle's Sun Liquor Distillery. Alaskan Brewing Co.'s Icy Bay IPA is on the menu this month.
Alaska Airlines is not the only horse in the race to upgrade the in-flight experience. Last year, Delta introduced "Delta Studio" to provide free entertainment on all of its flights, including the two-cabin regional jets that will serve Seattle from Ketchikan and Sitka. The Delta system also provides a selection of live satellite TV programs (on select flights).
Delta is one of several airlines that offers an upgraded economy-class section, dubbed "Comfort+." Travelers who opt for this upgraded service enjoy more legroom, complimentary drinks and early boarding.
Rather than offering a freestanding tablet for rent on its flights, Delta has incorporated its entertainment system into the seatbacks. Travelers also will be able to use their own tablets and smartphones to stream a selection of free or pay-per-view selections. All first, business and Comfort+ class travelers will have free access to all of the programming.
As summer approaches, other airlines like JetBlue and American will resume their flights. Both carriers offer seatback entertainment systems and extra legroom options for travelers willing to spend a little more money.
Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty-destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at zoom907@me.com. You can follow him on Twitter (@alaskatravelGRM) and alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.