Alaska Airlines from Albany International Airport to St. Louis

Looking for the adventure of a lifetime and a discovery of the true meaning of 'the great outdoors'? Nothing screams adventure more than the flight from Albany International Airport to St. Louis via 'The Last Frontier' itself - Alaska. So buckle up, prepare for some turbulence and let’s embark on this whimsical airfare journey together.

Now, you may be asking yourself, "Why should I take a round-trip via Alaska, when direct flights are faster and sport fewer bear sightings?" Well, my intrepid traveler, here's a fact that might peak your interests. Did you know that Alaska is known for its population of airborne wildlife? Not flying bears, as your dream-induced fear might suggest, but rather a population of about 30,000 bald eagles! Who knows? With some luck, you might spot these feathered celebrities from your aircraft window. Talking about hitting two birds with one stone, right?

Moreover, Alaska airlines offers more than just the promise of potential eagle-gawking opportunities. Ranked as one of the best in airline reviews, let's just say you don't stumble upon a planeload of happy customers by serving microwaved airplane food and underwhelming in-flight services. Oh no, their Sky Interior cabin design is a canvas of comfort and style. Whether you choose the humble economy class or the crème de la crème first-class, you're assured plenty of legroom and an entertaining in-flight experience. Plus, if you're a frequent flyer, you get to take advantage of their Mileage program. Who said the sky's the limit when you can earn air miles that never expire?

Onto flight duration. While the actual flying part has its perks, like free inflight texting so you can update your ground-based pals on your eagle-spotting progress, it's the layover that's the unsung hero of this journey. Picture this, you touch down in the largest and coldest (but with the warmest hearts) state in the US. The people are friendly, but more importantly, so are the salmon. I mean, here is your chance to take some Insta-story worthy snaps of the famous Alaskan king salmon or just to stretch your legs and grab a quick fancy Starbucks that managed to find its way up north.

"But what about my endless supply of travel gear?" I hear you cry. Worry not, for Alaska Airlines proves true to its name with a generous baggage allowance. Sure, you might have to pay a little extra for your seven pairs of hiking boots, four parkas, and billboard-sized 'Welcome to Alaska, Eagles!' sign. But isn't it worth it for the chance to experience Alaskan wilderness whilst cloaked in your top-of-the-range, all-weather gear?

Also, here's a hack that could very well save your wallet from a rude shock - the best time to book these flights is typically Tuesday or Wednesday. And, if you're lucky – or just incredibly good at online stalking – you may just snag those elusive last-minute flight deals. Perfect for those who have an unpredictable adventurous streak that can strike at any moment.

To cap it off, let's not forget about Alaska's generous flight cancellation policy, just in case circumstances decide to rebel against your travel plans. You can change or cancel your flight up to 24 hours from the time of original ticket purchase and get a full refund with no fees attached. Talk about customer friendly!

So by all means, do entertain the idea of the ‘express lane’ with direct flights, but remember, those who dare to take the snow-laden scenic route through Alaska might just find something awesome – a cheeky little detour that turns ‘flying’ into ‘soaring’. Happy travels!