Alaska Airlines from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith Airport

The glittering icicles hanging from the eaves of the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport catch the gleaming early morning sun rays briefly blinding you as you walk towards the check-in kiosk. You are about to embark on a unique adventure, a journey to the wild frontiers of America – Alaska. The state where the Northern Lights dance in vibrantly serpentine displays across the night sky and majestic mountains scratch the belly of the sky.

You are content knowing that you've grabbed one of the last-minute flights to Alaska. There's a tinge of excitement rushing through your veins as you slide your baggage onto the scale. You've stowed away the essential thermal wear, the hardy boots, and the all-important camera equipment. All within the baggage allowance, of course.

You've secured tickets for one of the cherished direct flights to the Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith Airport. What an odd name for an airport, you think to yourself, yet it stirs an odd anticipation for the peculiar. You’re expecting scenic vistas, splendid isolation – this is Alaska after all, where the wilderness and humans coexist harmoniously and the notion of a metropolis and urban diapers isn't contained within its icy boundaries.

Your flight schedule indicates a quick six and a half hour journey, coaxing you into already dreaming about the patchwork of pristine snow and dense forests unfolding below the silver wing of your plane. You debate the merits of flying in business class or economy class, but the difference, you acknowledge, is but a slight dent in the splendid experience awaiting you. No matter the class, the homely in-flight services of Alaska Airlines make every journey enjoyable; a symphony of smiling air hostesses, cozy blankets, and tempting food in the air.

Did you know, interestingly, Alaska is the only state in the USA that can be typed on a single row of a traditional English QWERTY keyboard? A funny, random fact that somehow captures the individualistic essence of the 49th state. But it’s not just about keyboard trivia; there’s a rich tapestry of culture, tradition, and wildlife to be heard, seen, and experienced when enjoying your round-trip to Alaska.

During the journey, the airline's frequent flyer program, known as Mileage Plan, breathes life into your dreams with alluring promises of sumptuous benefits. Imagine, future flights with a discounted airfare, privileged services, and priority boarding. Cheap flights, though, are a pleasurable find but not the driving force behind your itinerant lifestyle. It’s about discovery, exploration, and soaking in different experiences. And today, it is the silent beckoning of the Alaskan wilderness that has won your heart.

Your journey takes you to Cordova, a remote place with a wild heart, home to the peculiarly named Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith Airport. At first glance, Cordova looks as if a magician has dropped it at the edge of the world. Lush wetlands, rugged mountains dotted with spruce trees, and the sprightly Orca Inlet channel - Cordova is an embodiment of untouched beauty. A journey into the cordial arms of the small city of Cordova is a voyage into communion with nature.

As you prepare to land in the heart of Cordova, peering out of the oval window of the gentle giant that is the plane, you witness the dramatic contrast between the eternal snows and the emerging spring greenery. An infusion of white and green sprawls across the horizon, promising an adventure unlike anything you've ever experienced before. The Mudhole Smith Airport ahead of you lies embedded in a vast expanse of the boreal wilderness, offering a sight that will imprint on your memory forever, like a mermaid's song echoing through an ageless void.

Flying to Alaska is a journey that neither begins nor ends on the runway. It’s a mosaic of memories created in the clouds, sprinkled over the night sky, beneath the glowing curtain of the Aurora Borealis. It’s an expedition that traces its roots to the lure of the unknown, where every mile flown brings you closer to a new perspective. This is the charm of embarking on a voyage to Alaska, where the journey is as enchanting as the destination.