Alaska Airlines from Philadelphia to Great Falls International Airport

In the grand scheme of travel, taking a flight from the land of brotherly love, Philadelphia, to the rugged outdoors of Great Falls, Montana, might not scream "thrilling adventure." But, if you're brave enough to take the plunge through the airlines that share its namesake with the Last Frontier - Alaska Airlines, preparation is in order. Here's one way of turning this rather mundane travel into an exaggerated jaunt of humor and irony.

Start with your flights. Look for cheap flights. After all, wouldn't it be ironic to drain your bank account while flying on the cheapest carrier? Look for the red-eye flight, because sleep, clearly, is for the weak, the birds and Mistress Moon who’ve set the stage for your wanderlust fulfilment. Pack a thick novel – maybe "War and Peace," which you’ve been planning to read since college. With the flight duration from Philadelphia to Great Falls running as long as a director's cut of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, you'll finally have time to crack it open. Just imagine the looks on the other passengers' faces when they see you absorbed in Tolstoy while they fumble awkwardly with their in-flight pretzels.

Now, let's talk about airfare. A first-class ticket will give you a bigger seat, while the economy class ticket makes you feel like a goat tethered in less than a square yard of space during the entire journey. But, where's the fun in comfort? Be economical: save your money for experiences, not the several hours’ long fleeting encounter with first-class leather. Sure, a knee stuck in the back isn't comfortable, but think of the bragging rights and the Instagram posts with witty captions about travel endurance.

Once you check the box for round-trip or one-way tickets (depending on your level of commitment to returning from Great Falls), you'll hit the jackpot page: baggage allowances. What is this absurd rule about only carrying a set amount of weight for free? After all, how are a traveler's multi-colored beach shorts, a cowboy hat, and a collection of coffee mugs remotely heavy? Here's a chance to engage in a thrilling game of Tetris – packing edition. Strategically fold, roll, and stuff everything into the suitcase. Remember, may the weight balance be ever in your favor.

With Alaska Airlines, connection is a word that you may be carried away with quite literally. Keeping in view the fate of direct flights' availability, connecting flights are most likely a part and parcel of your itinerary. Don’t lose hope though; a layover could be your surprise love tryst with a place you never thought you would visit. You may not have ever dreamt of sampling clam chowder in Seattle, but here's your chance. Embrace the unexpected pit stops, and remember the standby passenger's mantra, "All those who wander are not lost - just connecting."

Alaska Airlines has a mileage program, too, but thinking of frequent flying at this stage might be as unrealistic as spotting actual grilled cheese in the clouds. Yet, keep an eye out for what’s in store for you in their loyalty program. Who knows - you might score a free sandwich, or, dare we dream, an extra inch of legroom.

And for our random Alaska fact of the day— you might be flying Alaska Airlines, yet you'll never be as high as Denali, Alaska's tallest mountain, standing at a whopping 20,310 feet, just casually making the clouds feel inferior. Now, for your own sake and sanity, don't start calculating how many stacked 'Liberty Bells' that equates to. Info bites like these are best consumed with a pinch of humor, the same way you should ideally be approaching this journey as well.

Moral of the story? Travel is just as exhilarating or mundane as we make it. So gear up for your Alaska Airlines flight, laugh in the face of tiny leg spaces, exorbitant munchies, and mind-boggling airline rules, and remember -to travel is to live, turbulence and all.