Alaska Airlines from Greenville Spartanburg International Airport to Walla Walla

What most journeys on Alaska Airlines have taught us—and let's be clear, there have been many—is that no flight is better choreographed than a graceful dance in the frost-bitten, extreme playground that is the state of Alaska. So, laughably naive, it is ludicrous for a traveler to embark on a trip from Greenville Spartanburg International Airport to Walla Walla without a hint of irony. Certainly, he or she will need our playful, yet thoughtful navigation through the wonderful world of airfare.

Because the air-pirates of Walla Walla would just love if you blundered into buying direct flights willy-nilly, the clever traveler sneaks around such trickery. Surprisingly, one-way tickets are often as useful as a chocolate teapot. Yes, it's true! Round-trip is the way forward (and back). If you pick a direct flight, it will have the feeling of being as drawn out as your most awkward Thanksgiving dinner.

So, expect a layover. It might feel more catastrophic than missing out on the office potluck, but it's normal. Do not fret though, for the layover might not be much longer than the average pop song, and definitely won't outlast your childhood trauma. Non-stop flights may seem like the gold standard and it's easy to see why they would be favored over the tediously fickle dance of connecting flights. But who doesn't love a dramatic mid-journey halt that could be a prime setting for an illuminating conversation with a mysterious stranger?

Lamentably, if your hunt for cheap flights hasn't yielded fruit by now, you might be out of luck. But remember, hope is not lost. You've got a chance to redeem yourself by opting for the last-minute flights. Although these spontaneous escapades can sometimes feel like pulling a poor bunny from a magician’s hat, they can also infuse a hint of spontaneity into an otherwise bland ordeal.

And, if you're feeling like a little self-indulgence, unwind by upgrading to first-class. It’s a corner in the sky where skipping to the loo doesn’t feel like auditioning for a gridiron match. Perhaps, you refuse to be swayed by luxury and insist on staying grounded in economy class—but it never hurts to enjoy a modicum of comfort amid high altitudes, does it?

Flight duration, an odd beast that often feels more like eons than hours, can speak volumes about a mediocre book you’ve picked up to pass the time. However, Alaska's airline reviews are full of accolades for their neat trick of easing your flight—by ensuring the cabin is colder than Alaska itself! Put your worries about baggage allowance aside and pack a snuggly parka, because the chilling illusion the airlines create to mimic the ancestral homeland definitely nips at the nose.

Here's a fun Alaskan fact before you brave the frosty cabin: Did you know that Alaska is the only state that can be typed on one row of the traditional English QWERTY keyboard? Well, now you do!

By the time your flight lands, your first yawn might crescendo into a full-fledged chorus of them. Welcome to the notorious red-eye flight. In-flight services will always be available within arm's reach when the need to drown the monotony strikes, and frequent flyer miles will keep accumulating, taunting you to make this questionable adventure a recurring affair!

If you still feel jittery about your journey, don't fret over flight cancellation policy. Every passenger has the right to change their mind, just like you when you decided at the last second that purple wasn't your color for socks after all.

So, embark on your trip with a touch of humor, a cloak of caution, and the irrepressibility of an explorer. There is no wrong way to fly, but there's definitely a fun way! Fly high and away, fellow adventurer!