Alaska Airlines from Calgary to Charleston International Airport

Oh, what a grand spectacle of human achievement and courage: the journey of a thousand miles, or, shall we say, the journey of 2,913 miles from the icy heartland of Calgary to the historic warmth of Charleston. Yes, viewers, buckle up and prepare for the enchanting world of modern travel, as we embark on a trip that just a century ago, would have taken a year or more, but today, it’s a single day — if you're really lucky and depending upon the whims of the air gods of Alaska Airlines.

You could enjoy those charming direct flights, or those bewildering connecting flights. How brilliant would it be to have a layover in say, Seattle, because who doesn’t want to visit two cities in one day? That’s a round-trip adventure! Or you could select those non-stop flights, for the thrill seekers amongst us. Boredom? What’s that? A six-hour, non-stop flight is nothing but a series of inflight services with a friendly attendant frequently nudging you awake, just to offer you pretzels.

How you choose to fly is a paradox in itself. Ah, the sacred divisions of classes - economy class, premium economy, first class, the mysterious business class; which one to select? For the budget-conscious, the economy class shines through with its luxurious four inches of legroom and cozy proximity to your neighbor's elbow. But for those who fancy a bit more, perhaps business class, with a bonus of prismatic food that magically morphs into something different by the time it reaches your taste buds. But hey, who needs oversees voyages when you have an international flight packed into a single domestic 'odyssey'?

Choosing the best time to book a flight is akin to gazing into a crystal ball and trying to predict the stock market. Try to seal the flight deal three months, no two months, or wait, 6 weeks in advance. Yes...or no. Maybe. And let’s not forget the last-minute flights, the masters of suspense, always keeping you on edge, wondering will you or won’t you get a seat. It’s truly an adrenaline rush!

When the day of departure finally arrives, pilgrims flock to the airport carrying their entire lives in their baggage. The baggage allowance, oh that arbitrary number that your bag must not exceed lest you want to be summoned by the almighty conveyor belt keepers. You pack, you weigh, you re-pack, all the while performing a sacred ritual resembling a wrestling match with the luggage- the great baggage ballet!

And for those constant journeyers among us, pardon, the frequent flyers, we are blessed with a mileage program. Through this divine scheme, you become a modern age Marco Polo, traversing great distances and amassing points to gain, well, more flights! It’s the circle of...fly!

Let us not forget the fickle gods of airline companies, who hold in their hands something known as a flight cancellation policy. Oh, all powerful ones, please let your subjects exchange their flights with a mere fee and not a new ticket price that could fund a small island nation's economy.

So, there you have it, dear reader, the modern-day Odyssey that sees Mrs. Johnson from Calgary hopping on an Alaska Airlines plane, reaching Charleston in a day, and thinking to herself “Well, that was fast”. May you always keep your sense of wonder, your sense of humor, and most importantly, your sense of irony as you navigate the wilderness of the skies.

Nestled amidst this humorous facet, did you know that Alaska, the home state to our beloved Alaska Airlines, was once Russian territory? Yes indeed, the mighty state that hosts the tallest peak of North America and around 100,000 glaciers was Russian until Uncle Sam purchased it in 1867. Quite contrary to being 'up there somewhere,' folks!