Alaska Airlines from Dulles International Airport to Missoula

Oh lucky you! You're planning to embark on a little adventure from Dulles International Airport to Missoula via Alaska. Alaska, an oasis for globe-trotters, where sunlight never leaves you alone during summer, because apparently, "too much of a good thing" means nothing in the North. But, here's a piece of advice - try not to time your visit during the summer solstice unless you've got a strong fondness for 24/7 daylight. And don’t forget that Alaska has 6,640 miles of coastline (more than all other U.S. states combined), which could be an interesting fact to impress your fellow passengers with.

Lucky for you, flight planning has never been a cakewalk, especially for the slaphappy traveler. There are ‘Direct flights’, and then ‘One-way’, ‘Round-trip’, ‘Layover’ flights... as if international travel wasn't already a minefield of choices. But, who doesn't love the whimsical journey of finding the right ‘Airfare’ amidst a multitude of ‘Cheap flights’ deals and the endless fear of a ‘Flight cancellation’ or delay? Ah, the joys of modern travel!

For a fun twist on this journey, you could consider catching a ‘Red-eye flight’. Don’t you just love the way it lets you arrive at your destination looking remarkably like an extra from The Walking Dead? Good news for those who enjoy the thrill of zombie movies and those who want to minimize their social interaction during the travel!

Alternately, if playing a role in a zombie apocalypse isn't quite your thing, there are the ‘Connecting flights'. Why catch one flight when you can hop onto two or more, right? More flights, more layovers! It's like getting extra rides at a theme park for zero added cost. Frequent flyers also stand to benefit from the ‘Mileage program’. Who wouldn't fall head over heels for accruing points and fetching rewards for simply letting an airline fly you around? Oh, the sheer ecstasy of it!

And if you're a last-minute runner, there are always the ‘Last-minute flights’. Because, free panic and anxiety really spice up the whole trip planning process, don’t they? Or, just for the thrill seekers, why not go for the "let’s-see-if-there's-a-seat-left" approach proved quite popular by over-optimistic or under-planned travelers?

Once aboard, the menagerie of classes to choose from add an additional layer of fun to your adventure. You can "pamper" yourself with the space-equivalent of a matchbox in ‘Economy class’, or "splurge" on the ‘Premium Economy’ for something a bit roomier. Should you be one of the fortunate souls who has tons of extra money to burn carelessly, might I suggest the ‘First-class’? You won't even notice how those dollars burn away into that extra 6 inches of legroom and a fancy meal!

Remember how I told you Alaska never leaves you alone with constant sunlight during summers? Well, they have something similar in-flight too - their ‘In-flight services’. Because nothing screams "vacation" like watching the latest Hollywood flick on a six-inch screen with sound quality that a telegram from the 1800s would be ashamed of, or savouring a meal that looks vaguely familiar to food but tastes remarkably like cardboard. Ah, the novelty of an airline meal!

As a cheery on this sundae of a trip, always be mindful of the ‘Baggage allowance’. Sure, you thought you knew how to pack a bag until an airlines staff member so kindly re-educates you on why the chunky knit sweater your Nanna made isn't really an "essential" for your summer trip to Missoula. After all, who likes a bit of sartorial judgement mixed with their journey’s adventure?

Now, welcome aboard everyone, buckle up, and enjoy this wild ride of Alaska Airlines!