Alaska Airlines from Great Falls to Harrisburg International Airport

I am pretty sure we can all agree that there is nothing like a little trip from the windy, rugged glory of Great Falls, Montana to the high-rolling, chocolate-drenched Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to bring color to your cheeks and wind to your sails. But what makes this journey truly cool, super-serving of CliffsNotes in your travelogue, is a voyage with Alaska Airlines. They make you feel less like a paying passenger and more like a revered guest attending an in-flight party. But a gala in the sky is not the only highlight of Alaska. Allow me to humor you with a spontaneous fact about the airline's namesake state, Alaska. Did you know that Alaska is both the westernmost and the easternmost state of the United States? Wrap your head around that for a moment. Now unwrap it, because we have much to discuss.

Before you jet off on this aerial escapade, a little strategizing wouldn’t hurt. It’s all about the timing – and no, I'm not talking about that one time when your boss called a meeting the minute you were leaving. I'm talking about the 'best time to book' your flight tickets. Strangely, it’s often when you least want to do it. To decode it for you, statistically, Tuesday afternoons or midweek in general work magnificent miracles on your airfare.

Now that we have covered when to book your trip, how about we entertain the thought of 'how' to undertake this panoramic voyage? Do your travel preferences lean towards a ‘direct flight,’ a stellar one shot to your destination, or do you fancy a ‘layover’ in some obscure, whimsical city, testing local delicacies during your travel intermission? Perhaps you're toying with the idea of ‘Connecting flights,’ offering a ‘round-trip’ joyride between multiple cities. However, remember that too many stopovers, like too many chefs, may sometimes spoil the journey. Or how about a ‘red-eye flight,’ because who said night-time was only for Netflix and Chinese takeouts?

Now, it's game time. Airline choice. Alaska, metaphorically and literally, flies high amidst ‘airline reviews.’ Being legends at in-flight hospitality, they've mastered the recipe of crafting ‘in-flight services’ like Gordon Ramsay constructs a Beef Wellington. Have snoozing knees or spam emails interrupted your movie climax one too many times? Alaska's in-flight entertainment will make you wish 'flight duration' was just a tad bit longer.

Pondering over the fare classes? With ‘Economy Class,’ you get the basics covered not just adequately, but with an extra dash of panache. The ‘Premium Economy’ trades few more bucks for legroom longer than a toddler's never-ending tale. However, if you're a posh globe-trotter, ‘First Class’ is your chariot in the clouds decked up with stellar service and sea-food cuisine. Feel underdressed in your casual PJs? Unbuckle your fashion instincts in ‘Business Class,’ where style meets comfort at 35,000 ft.

And at last, let's not forget about your luggage. Alaska’s ‘Baggage allowance’ is like the elastic waistband on your Thanksgiving pants; there’s always room for a little more. Make sure you read up on their generous policies and avoid unnecessary surprises.

Whether you’re a ‘frequent flyer’ or a casual traveler, Alaska’s ‘Mileage program’ has sweet deals sweeter than an Alaskan honey bucket. There’s no better way to stash travel miles and earn upgrades faster than Usain Bolt chasing after his lunch.

So, strap up, giddy travel enthusiast. Your pilgrimage from Great Falls to Harrisburg promises to be a journey adorned with an amusing mishmash of Montana’s rustic panorama and Pennsylvania’s grandeur, all sprinkled with Alaska’s frolic fiesta in the sky.