Review: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class (AUS-SAN)

To kick off our trip to San Diego, Mrs. ATX, ATX Jr., and I flew Alaska Airlines’ First Class on the Boeing 737-900 from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to San Diego International Airport (SAN).

Booking

When we were planning this trip, Mrs. ATX and I were on the fence about where we wanted to go. Our primary criteria were direct, reasonably priced, First Class flight and a city that both or one of us hadn’t been to before.

Seattle and San Diego both looked like viable options but, in order to get a reasonable fare from Seattle, would have had to take the redeye back. While I am squarely on team travel with kids, I wasn’t about to subject my fellow passengers or Mrs. ATX to that level of torture. So, we landed on San Diego.

Mrs. ATX had been before but this would be my first trip and I’d heard nothing but great things about the destination. Ultimately, we ended up booking our two roundtrip First Class tickets with a lap infant for $1,032 total via the Alaska website.

Pre-Flight

After our first trip with ATXJr. I learned that we had enough checked luggage to warrant an early arrival at the airport. Thankfully we did as the Austin Airport was a disaster, and I don’t use that lightly. We arrived at the airport around 5:15a for our 7:15a flight and found no line at the Alaska counter. After a brief exchange with the agent, our bags were tagged to San Diego and we had our boarding passes in hand.

Alaska Airlines Check-In Counter at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Alaska Airlines Check-In Counter at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

After bag drop, we headed off to security where the lines were crazy. Due to ongoing construction and some poor decisions by the airport, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR have been combined into one, entirely too small checkpoint. Lines for both CLEAR and PreCheck were backed up to the curb outside. Even with CLEAR and PreCheck, it still took us an hour to clear security. Employees at the airport were doing their best to direct travelers, especially amid frustrating conditions.

Security Line at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Security Line at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Security Line at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Security Line at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
a group of people in a large room
Once inside, there was still quite a line to get through security.

We finally made it airside at 6:30, 45 minutes before our scheduled departure time. While we would have been able to visit the American Airlines Admirals Club thanks to my British Airways Gold status, we headed straight for our departure gate.

a group of people in a large airport
The lines finally subsided once we made it airside.

Boarding

Our flight to San Diego was departing from Gate 12. N282AK, a seven year old Boeing 737-900ER was waiting at the gate to take us over to San Diego. When we initially booked our flights, it was scheduled to be operated by a Boeing 737-9 MAX. Alaska uses these two types of aircraft interchangeably so, while I wanted to review the newer aircraft, it’s a toss up as to which one you’ll actually get.

Alaska Airlines N282AK
N282AK is our ride over to San Diego

Boarding was scheduled to start in just a few minutes so I grabbed a gate check tag for the stroller and stood off to the side until boarding began. Alaska doesn’t allow families traveling with small children to preboard but, since we were flying First Class, we were able to board with the Priority group.

Alaska Airlines
AS 343
AUS-SAN (Austin-Bergstrom International – San Diego International)
Seat: 4C (First)
B737-900 (N282AS)
Scheduled: 7:15a-8:20a
Actual: 7:22a-8:15a

Alaska Airlines Boarding Gate at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Alaska Airlines Boarding Gate at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Alaska Boeing 737-900 First Class Seat

Alaska’s First Class cabin on the 737-900 consists of 16 seats spread across 4 rows in a 2-2 configuration. The airline is currently adding more premium seats fleetwide, though the 737-900 and 737-9 MAX will remain at 16 First Class seats. Our flight had the older style BarcaLounger seats similar to our United flight the month prior. Please excuse the photos of the cabin as it was dark outside and the carrier’s blue mood lighting was being used during boarding.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Cabin
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Cabin
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Cabin
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Cabin

I assigned us seats 4A and 4C, located in the last row on the left side of the aircraft. In addition to the comfortable seats, there was plenty of legroom for my 6′ 2″ frame.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Legroom
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Legroom
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Cabin
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Cabin

Alaska, like American, doesn’t have any IFE screens on its narrowbody aircraft (until the merger with Hawaiian, Alaska exclusively operated Boeing 737s) and the seatback was completely bare. No device holders were available, unlike what you’ll find on some other carriers.

a seat on an airplane
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Seatback

Between the seats is a small tray table that could hold a couple of drinks and smaller items.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Beverage Tray
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Beverage Tray

A second, smaller tray can be pulled up and out if extra space is needed.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Beverage Tray
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Beverage Tray
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Beverage Tray
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Beverage Tray

The tray tables are located in the armrests closest to the window and aisle. When released, the tray table can either be fully extended or folded over in half, depending on your needs.

a person holding a device
The tray table is located in the armrest closest to the aisle.
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Tray Table
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Tray Table
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Tray Table
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Tray Table

Individual reading lights and air nozzles were located above each seat. The cabin also featured Alaska’s signature carpeted bulkhead.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Cabin
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Cabin

Departure

During boarding, the flight attendant working the First Class cabin, Ray, came around offering pre-departure beverages with a choice of water, orange juice, or coffee. I had coffee and Mrs. ATX chose water.

Alaska Airlines Pre-departure Beverages
Alaska Airlines Pre-departure Beverages

Because of the situation at security, the Captain announced that we would be taking a small delay to allow remaining passengers time to get to the aircraft. This was a nice touch and the cabin crew used this time to take meal orders. Alaska has the ability to pre-order meals online but I missed the deadline so we had to choose on board.

Orders were taken front to back and there were only three options left when they got to us. I chose the parmesan scrambled eggs & bacon while Mrs. ATX ordered the peach breakfast pantart. The other available option was the omelette. The full menu is below for reference.

Alaska Airlines First Class Breakfast Menu
Alaska Airlines First Class Breakfast Menu

After the last few passengers boarded, the forward door was closed and we pushed off the gate a few minutes behind schedule. By this point, the sun had come up and it looked like a beautiful morning to fly.

a plane wing on a runway
It was a beautiful morning in Austin.

We had a quick taxi our to Runway 18L and, after a short wait for traffic, rocketed off towards the south. We made a right near Circuit of the Americas to head towards San Diego.

an airplane wing in the sky
View departing Austin

In-Flight

Once airborne the flight crew closed the curtains between the First Class cabin and the galley and I headed to check out the forward lavatory. The First Class lavatory on Alaska’s 737-900s are teeny tiny and appear to have the same, one handed sink as American Airlines’ Oasis’d 737-800s

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Lavatory
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Lavatory
a person washing their hands
How anyone can wash their hands effectively in this thing is beyond me.

Back at my seat, I perused the menu and inflight entertainment catalogue as the meal service began.

Alaska Airlines Inflight Menu
Alaska Airlines Inflight Menu

When taking our meal orders prior to departure, the flight attendant working our cabin asked us if we wanted to stagger our meals to make it easier to wrangle ATX Jr. This was a small, but nice touch and we happily agreed.

To start the meal service we both ordered mimosas and Mrs. ATX took her meal first. Her peach breakfast pantart looked pretty close to the photo and was very good from what I was told.

Alaska Airlines First Class Beverage Service
Alaska Airlines First Class Beverage Service
Alaska Airlines Peach Breakfast Pantart
Alaska Airlines Peach Breakfast Pantart

Next it was my turn, my parmesan scrambled eggs and bacon didn’t quite look like the photo but it was good nonetheless.

V
Alaska Airlines Parmesan Scrambled Eggs and Bacon

After our meals were cleared, Mrs. ATX and ATX Jr. took a nap while I spent some time working and staring out the window at the landscape below.

a aerial view of a rocky landscape
View en route to San Diego

Ray was extremely proactive with snack and beverage refills, allowing me to pass the time with ease.

Alaska Airlines First Class Snacks
Alaska Airlines First Class Snacks

Before beginning our descent, the crew came around for one last round of beverages. Alaska is one of the few airlines that has its own specialty beer so I decided to try the Cloud Cruiser IPA from Fremont Brewing

a hand holding a can of beer

As we began our descent into San Diego, the crew brought a pair of wings for ATX Jr. which I thought was a nice touch.

Alaska Airlines Kids Flight Wings
Alaska Airlines Kids Flight Wings

Arrival

Since we were coming from the East, it was almost a straight in shot to Runway 27. If you’re flying into San Diego I highly recommend sitting on the left side of the aircraft as you get great views of downtown.

an aerial view of San Diego
View Approaching San Diego
San Diego Skyline
View Approaching San Diego

We touched down ahead of schedule and started out taxi over to the arrival gate.

an airplane on the runway
Welcome to San Diego!
airplanes parked on a runway
Taxiing San Diego Airport

We had a short taxi over to our arrival gate but had to hold for a bit while traffic cleared from the alley. We arrived into Gate 21 five minutes ahead of schedule, pulling in alongside multiple Alaska Airlines planes.

a plane on the tarmac
Taxiing San Diego Airport

SInce we were seated in First Class, we were one of the first groups off of the plane. However, I had to wait on the jet bridge for a few minutes to pick up our gate checked stroller. Thankfully, it came up quickly and we were on our way.

N282AS at San Diego International Airport
Thanks for the ride Alaska Airlines!

The terminals in San Diego are a congested mess but, after weaving our way through, we made it to the exit for baggage claim.

a group of people in an airport
Off to baggage claim.

Our priority tagged bags were some of the first off the belt and, from there, we headed out to catch the shuttle over to the rental car center.

a group of people standing around a conveyor belt
Our priority tagged luggage was some of the first off of the plane.

Thanks for coming along on my first, but definitely not last, Alaska Airlines flight!

Alaska Boeing 737-900 First Class Summary

First Class on the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900 doesn’t have a cutting edge hard product but, a rather mediocre one amongst the major U.S. carriers. Thankfully, the carrier has invested heavily in its food and beverage options and the crew was top notch. While I live in Austin and do most of my travel to the east coast, I’d still travel with Alaska again on my flights headed west.

4 comments
  1. I like Alaska… was happy to fly them this weekend out of PDX. What they lack in hard product they do make up for in customer service definitely (and meals on far more flights than anybody else). Their crews are definitely a notch above most.

    Those Community “everything” chips…. I had them for the first time on a flight Saturday. Interesting taste… now I want to order some for home.

    I had a great experience at the PDX Alaska Lounge (temporary one… which was nicer still than most Admirals Clubs) where I had an issue with my return flight (app was glitching and kept loading my outbound journey for check in over and over) and they couldn’t resolve it at the Lounge so one of the two agents escorted me out and to a service counter and actually waited with me, introduced me to the agent behind the counter, reintroduced herself and told me to come right back to the Lounge and find her directly if I had anything else I needed.

    I personally don’t care about screens in the seat back as the only thing I would ever use it for is the flight map. As long as wifi works and there’s in-seat power, I’m fine. But I think I’m overall a minority on that.

    1. It’s just nice to have a screen in the seat back instead of perched on your tray table, competing for space with the meal tray and drinks. I think it makes AS smack of cheapness. It’s disappointing they didn’t change this with the new seats on the Max.

      1. Exactly, I don’t want to bother with pulling out my tablet and trying to watch something during the snack/beverage service. Even more so in F when I’m trying to eat a full meal.

      2. A device holder would be fine. But if I can’t watch what I want, I don’t care about the screen. I don’t even have cable at home and I can’t recall the last time I touched a TV in a hotel room. I can’t think of any US carriers that let you stream your own device to the screen though…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Post
Marriott and MGM Resorts are opening the W Las Vegas on the campus of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, replacing the Delano Las Vegas.

Marriott and MGM Resorts are Opening the W Las Vegas

Next Post
Qatar Airways Starlink

Qatar Airways Launches its First Starlink Equipped Flight