Alaska Airlines from Greater Rochester International Airport to Washington, D.C.

Oh darling, have you ever thought of living your most glamorous life by catching a flight from the bustling hubbub of Greater Rochester International Airport to the heart of American politics, Washington, D.C? Well, let me indulge you with memories of my own sassy journey.

Why Alaska, you ask? Why not a more mainstream airline? Well, sweetheart, selecting Alaska airline from the myriad of options is like opting for a Himalayan pink salt-studded dark chocolate over a regular candy bar; it isn’t the obvious choice, but goodness, savoring the unique flavor is a treat! A little fun fact for you - why not get some brain exercise while we're at it? Did you know that if you took the state of Alaska and cut it in half, Texas would still be the third largest state? Yep. It's that big, and full of tantalizing experiences. Just like their namesake, Alaska Airlines offers a bit of the extraordinary in your ordinary flying routine.

My adventure began by securing one of their ‘flight deals’- a slick phrase for ‘we know you’re a bit cheap and that’s okay’. Enjoying the thrill of getting 'cheap flights', which were not high on airfare but rich in experience, was almost as exciting as buying a designer handbag at half price during a flash sale.

My round-trip flight was divinely uneventful – Yes, you heard right, ‘un-eventful’! No flight delays, no alarming shudders mid-air; just smooth, stress-free sailing through the borderline bearable clouds. I breathed easier knowing that the flight duration was perfect, not too long to bore me into existential crisis nor too short to leave any room for jet lag.

Peeking into their baggage allowance, I was shocked and then overjoyed to find out I could bring a small village along with me if needed. Honestly, for the serial over packers, this aspect is a blessing wrapped in a surprise.

Then came the in-flight services; the epitome of making mundane extraordinary. To be honest, economy class can feel like sitting in a tight box, eating cardboard-taste food with stain-contributing liquids. But, oh, not on this airline! The food was just on the right side of “I’ve tasted better but this isn’t too bad” and the drinks, well let's say they were ‘drinkable’. Didn’t need that annoying ESA (Emotional Support Alcohol) after all.

The seats, believe it or not, were perfect for the Goldilocks in me – not too hard, not too soft. Plus, the legroom was generous. I safely avoided playing footsie with the stranger next to me unless I wanted to; another score for Alaska!

And did I forget to mention the mileage program? After tolerating months of my coworker's endless ramblings about her mileage program benefits, I decided to give it a try. I must say it’s a neat trick to lure us back. Before this, my ‘loyalty’ was as frequent as the frequency of my diet plans. But post this experience, Alaska might see more of me. Who knew, right?

A word of caution though: First-class is a gateway drug; once you experience it, there is no going back. The exclusivity club of ‘I want better and I can have it too’ is addictive. We won’t get into details; just know, it’s quite fabulous!

Finally, their flight cancellation policy is as clear as my neighbour’s ‘No Trespassing’ sign. All in all, I would say this was a premium economy experience in a truly American style. So, my dear frequent flyer, next time you decide to fly from the gracious Greater Rochester International Airport to seductive Washington, D.C., don’t gag at the mention of Alaska. Embrace the journey and let it surprise you with its unique flavor. The fact that you're chalking up miles on a lesser-known airline just adds to your travel street cred. After all, being mainstream is so passé, don't you think?