Alaska Airlines from St. Louis to Santa Maria Public Airport

So, you've decided to take a trip from the hustle and bustle of St. Louis to the tranquility of Santa Maria Public Airport. You thought to yourself, "Why not choose Alaska Airlines because nothing says 'routine air travel' like soaring over the icy tundra?"

Right from the get-go, let me assure you, frequent flyer, your airfare won't involve bartering with packs of salmon or promissory notes of firewood, as interesting as that would be. No, Alaska Airlines practices modern capitalism just like the rest of us. But hey, let's get you there without needing to sell off any livestock, okay?

Despite your probably high expectations of doing a round-trip on a dogsled, you’ll be disappointed – or possibly relieved - that your transport will be an actual airplane. Yes, indeed. Alaska Airlines proudly utilizes things called 'planes'. You might recognize them from every other airline ever. For St. Louis to Santa Maria route, you will have two lovely options: Connecting flights with - wait for it - a layover, or, non-stop direct flights which go from, well, directly from St. Louis to Santa Maria. Shocking, right?

Don't get me wrong. Layover flights are a showstopper. Seriously, who doesn't love a good grueling layover? You get to sit around an airport for a few hours, enjoy luxury cuisine from vending machines, and engage in a fierce eye-contact battles with strangers.

But, if that doesn’t sound like your ideal vacation, you can opt for a direct flight instead. I know - it’s a tough choice. Do you enjoy the wonders of layover life or get to your destination quickly with a non-stop flight? Decisions, decisions...

Let's talk about the flight duration. Turns out, Alaska Airlines uses these things called "wings." They’re attached to their “planes,” which makes them airborne, you know, to save time. Bet you didn't see that one coming! The total journey time for non-stop flights on this route is around 5 to 6 hours. If that's not enough time for you to watch at least four in-flight movies, I don't know what is! The connecting flights obviously take a bit longer, but hey, more time to perfect your disapproving stares for the layover eye-contact battles.

Class options range from Economy, you know, for the peasants, right up to first-class for those of us who like to sip champagne and recline on polar bear fur-lined seats. Well, not really. That would be too Alaskan. Oh, and let’s not forget about their amazing Premium Economy. It’s remarkable how only a few extra inches of legroom can make you feel just that bit more superior!

Oh, the baggage allowance - it's just phenomenal. Alaska Airlines knows how to strike the right balance. They understand the necessity of taking 47 pairs of shoes for a two-day trip and make space for your emotional baggage, too - pretty thoughtful, don't you think?

Now, before I forget, here's a random tidbit about Alaska. Contrary to popular belief, it's not all ice and snow. Seriously, Alaska is the only American state to have coastlines on three different seas: the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Bering Sea. Who knew, right?

So whether you're planning your one-way trip to live amongst the seals, or you're scheduling a last-minute flight to escape the mundane, go ahead! Choose Alaska Airlines. After all, life's too short to not enjoy a bit of ice-cold sarcasm at 30,000 feet.