Alaska Airlines from Tampa to Portland International Airport

Oh, joy unbounded! There's absolutely nothing like the pure, untainted exhilaration of jetting off from the tropical humidity of Tampa Bay to the gloriously damp climes of Portland, Oregon. You must be thrilled - I can feel it from here. Hope you're ready for such a spectacular display of American landscapes from the cushioned comfort of your airline seat?

What's more, with the wonder of the modern world that is Alaska Airlines, you shall contrive to reach your desired destination by various means - be it via non-stop or connecting flights. Mind you, some flights do prefer to give globetrotters like you and me, a touch of the exotic. A delightful little layover in Seattle or Denver, perhaps? Oh, but of course, that does depend on how much you love airports.

Ever been told that timing is everything? Well, it definitely is, especially when it comes to booking airfare, one conceited soul once told me. The best time to book your thrilling journey from alligator alleys to hipster havens is approximately two months in advance. Booking this way not only helps your wallet to breathe a sigh of relief, but also aids your vacation planning. After all, spontaneity has its place, but let's not fool ourselves, last-minute flights are the domain of thrill-seekers and the desperate.

As for your in-flight services, brace yourself for the smorgasbord of palatable, sometimes edible, offerings being paraded down the aisle by the ever-smiling flight attendants. Now, I'm not suggesting that airplane food has extraordinary Michelin star qualities (that 's reserved for premium economy and first-class, naturally), but let's be grateful for small mercies. Akin to survivors at sea, you too, can look forward to this food raft in the vast ocean of the sky.

Now let’s shift our attention to the very meat of it all - your flight duration. Brace yourself, for this is the marathon stretch of it. From take-off in balmy Tampa, to touchdown in often drizzly Portland, might take you anywhere from six to twelve hours, depending on your flight choice and how much you enjoy watching land morph into clouds, clouds into land, and so on, from your airplane window.

And, I bet you didn't know this - Alaska has the longest coastline of all the U.S states. Nobel news indeed! Now, if you’re particularly fortunate, you might just spot that very coastline from the corner of your tightly squished airplane window. Just remember, that small speck of coast you see out there? It's longer than all the other states' coastlines combined. Breathtaking, isn’t it? Only on Alaska Airlines, folks.

Should you be that merrily masochistic sort who adores the fine line between comfort and torture, you may as well book economy class. Otherwise, do consider business class or perhaps a relaxing sprawl in premium economy or first-class. After all, just because you're airborne doesn’t mean all human comfort should be summarily abandoned.

Finally, a word to the wise regarding your baggage allowance: it's a tantalizingly, restriction-filled love affair in the age of modern travel. Keep it light, or at least let your wallet be as heavy as your suitcase.

So, brave adventurer, are you ready for your expedition across the North American skies? Tampa to Portland, it might not be the Odyssey, but with Alaska Airlines, it's certainly an adventure. Buckle up, have a safe flight and remember no journey is ever tedious until it's over.