Alaska Airlines from Indianapolis International Airport to Redding

It is with a sense of dry detachment that we begin this sojourn into the bowels of bleak and sterile air travel, specifically focusing on the journey from Indianapolis International Airport to Redding, via the robust yet quaint carrier, Alaska Airlines. Known for their dwindling in-flight peanuts and overly enthusiastic flight attendants that harbor dreams of performing resonant renditions of the safety protocol on Broadway, Alaska Airlines epitomizes the paradoxical marriage of ‘clinical’ and ‘cheerful’.

The ‘Airfare’ isn’t as frightful as one might assume, particularly if you sell your vintage comic book collection or perhaps even pawn your grandma’s favourite teapot (she doesn’t need to know). Alaska Airlines offers an assortment of flights; however, it seems the coveted ‘Direct flights’ are as elusive as your aunts' secret pickle recipe. Prepare for a playful game of ‘One-way’ tag from layover to layover, with at least two stops before you finally stumble upon Redding’s tarmac.

The Alaska Airlines ‘Flight duration’ might seem daunting— akin to reading the entirety of Tolstoy’s War and Peace in one night while juggling angry sea urchins. The here-to-there-with-a-lot-of-stops-in-between route might stretch your patience thinner than a bargain-priced cheese slice. However, some intrepid adventurers might find the joy in ‘Layover’ land in Salt Lake City or Seattle. Perhaps appreciate the elegance of the infamous mocha frappa-latte-chino served in the bustling husk of airport eateries, or, alternatively, meditate upon the philosophical intricacies of life lived in transit.

A word of caution to the budget-conscious traveller who dreams of benefiting from ‘Last-minute flights’. Alaska Airlines has a way of acting like a coy lover, teasing with rates that rise and fall with unanticipated spontaneity. Secure your seat in advance: the ‘Best time to book’ flights on this carrier aligns well with the life cycle of the Rocky Mountain Locusts, an extinct species last spotted in 1902. Coincidence? We think not.

A ‘Baggage allowance’ serves as little consolation. You are permitted a meager bag or two, depending on your negotiable skills and / or the mood swings of the check-in personnel. However, this simply opens up the opportunity to really hone your minimalist packing skills or, more realistically, to shovel an increasingly implausible number of items into your carry-on.

Amidst this jury-rigged satire of the air travel experience, one must acknowledge the veritable benefits of being a ‘Frequent flyer’ with Alaska. Yes, the ‘Mileage program’ is, admittedly, one of the more reasonable in existence. You might even score a free flight, so long as you've circumnavigated the globe at least 12 times they might reward you with a round trip.

As a final note, here's a random fact about the state of Alaska itself, perhaps to justify all your suffering. Upon arrival in the state for your layover, it is highly likely you'll witness the Northern Lights which was voted as the best natural light show by Mother Nature Magazine. This perhaps helps to rinse the taste of the in-flight sandwich from your memory, and tip your eyes heavenward for a spectacle far removed from the overwhelming sterility of the aircraft.

So, travelers, if you are craving a touch of irony and are particularly patient, consider a jaunt on Alaska Airlines from Indianapolis to Redding. Remember, it’s not about the destination, but rather the journey, or at least that’s what all the self-help books seem to insist.