Review of Alaska Airlines flight Seattle → Portland in Domestic First

Report No: 2021-1002

Dear folks,

Welcome to this brand new Flight-Report series which I would cover a trip onboard Alaska Airlines to Portland, Oregon onboard their Domestic First cabin. This series would cover three different aircraft types, three different bands of catering and visit to three different Alaska Lounge's across their network. 

The second flight in this series would be a short Alaska Airlines flight onboard their Boeing 737-800 from Seattle to Portland. This review would also include a visit to the Alaska Lounge in the North Concourse of Seattle Tacoma Airport

Here is the routing for this series;

Loads for this flight

Domestic First : 100%
Premium and Main Cabin: 75-80% 

SEATTLE TACOMA AIRPORT - SEA

After arriving at the C concourse from my previous flight from Washington Ronald Reagan Airport, it was time to check the FIDS in order to verify the boarding gate for my flight to Portland.

As the flight was going to depart from N gates, I decided to head to the Alaska Lounge in the North Satellite concourse.

The only way to go to the North Concourse is to take the people mover over there.

The Alaska Lounge is located a level above of the gate level in the North Concourse

ALASKA LOUNGE N - SEATTLE TACOMA AIRPORT

As a oneworld Emerald member, I also had opportunities to go to the British Airways Lounge and the American Airlines Admirals Club in Seattle, although I decided to stick with the Alaska Lounge on this occasion.

At the entrance, my boarding pass was scanned and I was welcomed by the agents and the agents have gave me a brief overview regarding what's available in this lounge.

The lounge looks fresh and modern and the furniture is super comfortable.

At the time I arrived at the lounge, they were switching breakfast offerings with rest-of-day offerings.
Some cookies

There were two types of soup available that day. Nachos and guacamole was also available

There was a stand where you could have crafted your own salad

Soft drinks are available and self-service. Tea & coffee are also available. The espresso machine was broken that day, however,

One of the best things about the Alaska Lounge's are that there are coffee stations where a barista would craft the espresso speciality of your choice. That day, I have opted for a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Of course, pancakes are also available throughout the day

There is also a bar available for alcoholic drinks

Here are my selections for the day

Although I didn't do that much spotting at the lounge, the lounge has spectacular views where you could watch the movement in the apron.
At that time, this American Airlines Boeing 777-200ER had arrived from London Heathrow. 

GATE AREA & BOARDING

When it was close to boarding time, I have left the lounge and headed to my gate which was N9 for the day. The walk from the lounge to the gate was approximately 2 minutes.

Boarding was made with the respect of priorities on time and I have boarded the aircraft with First Class.

As there was a wheelchair in the aisle, we were asked to wait a couple of seconds at the jet bridge, later on we were asked to board and was welcomed by the friendly crew.

This aircraft was equipped with the old Alaska Airlines seats which are definitely more comfortable than those in the A321neo.

There is plenty of legroom which allowed me to stretch my legs during the flight.

Each seat in First Class was equipped with power outlets and USB ports.

The seatback pocket content was same as the previous flight, however, the safety card was of course the Boeing 737-800 version.

Boxed still water was present at each seat in First Class during boarding. This is the only service item onboard this short flight. Alaska Airlines does not serve anything else than water on flights shorter than 350 miles.

The aircraft was not equipped with the Sky Interior design, thus had the old style of overhead panels.

Our neighbor was this Alaska Boeing 737-800 that was going to head towards Denver that afternoon

Also, some Alaska 737's still have the "Proudly All Boeing" sticker, although after the Virgin America merger, they now have Airbus aircraft in their fleet.

Replacement masks were available at the wall in front of the first row.

As the flight wasn't full, boarding has completed on time and shortly later the cabin crew, greeted myself, told me that there would be no service on this flight, thanked me for being a oneworld Emerald member and had a small chat with me. They have also congratulated, a recently promoted million miler which was seated in First Class.

Later on, we started our push back and the safety demonstration was performed by the crew.

And, it was time to do some spotting.
Starting with this Alaska Boeing 737 in the Toy Story 4 livery

More Alaska aircraft in concourse C

This 737-900 was going to head to Ontario, CA that day as AS 420

While taxiing, I have spotted that this Qatar Airways bird has recently landed to Seattle.

More Alaska birds, this time at the North concourse

N593AS from a different angle

Some Alaska regional jets

This one had just arrived from Santa Rosa, Sonoma County as AS 2129

Delta aircraft at concourse B

And here is the international concourse which is concourse S

Delta wide-bodies at the South concourse

Delta Connection Embraer that had just arrived from Redmond/Bend

Qatar Airways 777-300ER getting a rest before returning back to Doha

Lufthansa A350-900 which would head to Frankfurt that afternoon

Alaska Airlines 737 parked near the hangar

Korean Air A330 parked at gate S1

Another Alaska 737 parked near the hangar

Icelandair 757 at a remote stand

And after a taxi that took 5-10 minutes, it was our time to take-off

We were going to take off towards the north.

Sea-Tac airport from the air

And Boeing Field BFI from the air

After takeoff we have made a U turn as Portland is located towards the south.

Downtown Seattle

Seattle Tacoma Airport from different angles

Just after take-off internet wasn't available, although, the personal device entertainment system worked.

However, shortly later, the Wi-Fi system also worked.
Alaska offers free texting on all flights for everyone which I benefitted during this flight.

Other than the scenery and texting, there wasn't much to do on this flight.

Beautiful scenery while we were descending

A military ship

Vancouver, WA

And after a 31 minute flight, we have touched down at Portland International Airport.

The terminal looked empty that day

An Alaska Dash 8 in the Oregon State University Beavers livery

Alaska 737 at concourse C

And after a very short taxi, we were getting closer to our parking position which was gate C9.

Our neighbor 737 was going to head to Palm Springs as AS 1342 that afternoon

The jet bridge

Shortly after we have stopped, the seatbelt signs were switched off and it was time for gathering my belongings and leave the aircraft. At the exit door, the cabin crew individually thanked every passenger for flying with Alaska.

PORTLAND AIRPORT - PDX

The first shot from the terminal

As construction was going on, there was a detour to the baggage claim area

If I'm not wrong, they are rebuilding concourse A to allow more jet bridges and more parking positions.

After a walk that we could count as an exercise, I was finally landside

And the nice thing is that the walk to the light-rail ( tram ) was 1 minute from the concourse exit.

Tickets must be purchased before boarding and validated at the station. A tram ticket valid for 2 hours would cost $2.50 which would allow enough time to go to downtown Portland.

And as soon as the tram departed, the journey has come to an end.

As well as this Flight-Report.
The series would be continuing with the next report that would be published shortly.
Once again thanks for reading and hope to see you in another report.