Alaska Airlines from Deadhorse Airport to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport

It's a common question, from the halls of Alaska's shimmering ice hotels to the humid, sunscreen-scented beaches of Florida. "Can I flee the chill of Deadhorse with a straight-through flight and soak up some sun at St. Pete-Clearwater International?" Yes, as improbable as it may sound, that gold-chasing prospectors' dream-turned-corporate-executives' paradise of direct flights exists. But before strapping yourself into a metal tube for this epic, polar ice cap touch-and-go jaunt, there are a few crucial things to know.

Firstly, no one truly enjoys being subjected to air currents that flow at different altitudes simultaneously (turbulence, for the not-so-aviation-enthused). Yet, non-stop flights on this mercurial, ever-elongating great-circle route serve up a hearty helping of jostling, thanks to taking the "scenic route" over the North Pole. But don't worry, the constant tussle between gravity and airplane might be unsettling, but the probability of finding photo-worthy polar bears makes it all worthwhile.

Here is where the frequent flyer mileage program can do some heavy lifting. With just the right amount of accumulated points, you might secure an upgrade to business class. Don't get overly optimistic; it's not something out of sci-fi novels with personal androids or seats that turn into mini-hot-tubs. But the extra legroom and an inch or two wider seat might just allow you to get your trembling knees under control.

Now, about that baggage allowance. Alas! You're granted only one free checked bag, but in-flight services are superb (yes, they serve more than peanuts). I mean, it's not like a full-scale Broadway performance to keep you entertained, but on-demand movies and WiFi make the experience a touch less like being incarcerated in a flying sardine can.

But, ahem, it would be sacrilege to omit discussing the flight duration. Simply put, the Arctic-to-tropical journey will steal away nine hours of your life that you'll never get back. However, if you strategically pick a red-eye flight, you can "gain" a few hours back by snoozing through some of it. Trust me, there's nothing like the jubilation brought about by waking up tanned in Florida after falling asleep under the Northern Lights.

An apparent victim of bad marketing, Deadhorse Airport was originally known as Prudhoe Airport but later renamed to mesh better with the tragicomic movie-like existence of the local populace. St. Pete-Clearwater International, on the other hand, is as exotic and elusive as its city’s famed ghost tours and manatee sightings. Keep your eyes peeled - you might catch a glimpse of a wandering spirit on your way to baggage claim!

End your journey by enjoying the delightful irony of it all: Starting your day equipped with the thermals and ending it by applying sunscreen. After all, variety is the spice of life.

Here's a fun nugget to share at your next cocktail party: Alaska has 3 million lakes, more than any other state. That's a lot of fishing opportunities to forsake for the lure of warm Floridian beaches!

Whether you’re a weary oil industry worker seeking escape or a vacationer yearning for a change of scenery as dramatic as an Oprah show finale, this journey from Deadhorse to St. Pete-Clearwater offers an unmatched dose of exhilarating, polar-to-tropical transformation. Go ahead. Surrender yourself to this existential one-way ticket to a sunnier state of mind.