Alaska Airlines from Gallatin Field to Portland

Prepare yourself for a whimsical excursion through the sometimes baffling, yet always fascinating realm of airfare economics. Fasten your seatbelts for a zigzagging journey from Gallatin Field to Portland via Alaska, an airline which I daresay has a certain rapport with unusual operating locations, what with its very name hinting at dog sledding adventures and igloo homesteads.

Owing to the rather ludicrous nature of this industry, those with a keen sense for ‘flight deals’ might find it cheaper to embark on connecting flights all around the American playground before finally landing at their real destination, correcting their jet-lagged body clocks along the way. Yes, you can have a layover in Frying Pan, Kentucky (not a made-up place), where the prime attraction is, unsurprisingly, a frying pan. Or, if you fancy, take an unintended detour via Nowhere, Oklahoma (also not made-up), for those with a penchant for obscurity.

However, assuming we were all reasonable people with a dire need to save time and brain cells, let’s switch our focus to the more logical and dependable – direct flights. Recently, Alaska has been quite kind to its customers by offering ‘non-stop’ services, a remarkable improvement that spares humanity from the horror of airport layovers (and the vending machine food).

Not to play favorites, but the delightful folks at Alaska have quite outdone themselves in this regard and now offer a choice of cheap flights in all manners and flavors that only serve to enhance our existential confusion. One-way, round-trip, red-eye flight (for the seemingly nocturnal), last-minute flights (for adrenaline junkies), the list goes on.

Now seems an opportune moment to drop our surprise trivia. Did you know that despite its chilly reputation, Alaska boasts over 3 million lakes and more coastline than the rest of the U.S combined? Yes, more fun for ice fishing and encounters with walruses unless that's not your cup of tea (or mug of hot chocolate in this case).

Now, back to our journey. The good folks at Alaska understand that their customers have diverse needs. And they do cater to all, irrespective of whether you’re an affluent magnate chilling in ‘first-class’, a white-collar wizard sealing deals in ‘business class’, or a homeward-bound student squished comfortably in ‘economy class’.

And let's not forget, the ‘premium economy’ exists too, not that anyone is quite sure of what it means. It’s somewhat like being neither here nor there, savouring the savoury morsels of luxury sans the attendant guilt.

Keeping its diverse customer base well-fed, entertained, and fairly charged for their baggage allowance (watch the scales, people), Alaska has garnered some excellent ‘airline reviews’. With their ‘flight schedule’ as consistent as can be in these turbulent times, along with their flexible ‘flight cancellation policy’, they are indeed mirroring the commitment and resilience of the state they are named after.

After dealing with the surprising complexity of airfare choices that boggle the mind more than a Rubik’s cube, you may end up enrolling in Alaska’s frequent flyer or ‘mileage program’. I imagine it as an exclusive club with secret handshakes and decoder rings, although in reality, it probably involves beating everyone else to the best in-flight snacks.

Too long, didn’t read? Here’s the Koh's notes: Gallatin Field to Portland via Alaska without straying into the realms of the obscure (sorry, Frying Pan) is possible. Sensible options available, lake facts included. You're welcome.