Alaska Airlines from Washington, D.C. to San Diego International Airport

Well, buckle up, my travel-happy friends, because if your travel plans include a flight on Alaska from the capital of the United States, Washington D.C., to the sunny shores of San Diego, then boy, do I have some information for you!

Firstly, let's talk about flights. It's fitting we're flying with Alaska Airlines, seeing they hail from the state instinctively carved into most ice sculptures (did you know Alaska is the most popular choice for ice sculptures? You do now!). Brace your heart and your wallet as we dive into airfare. One-way, round-trip; the choice is yours to make. But remember, as Benjamin Franklin once said, "Beware of little expenses; a small leak can sink a great ship." He was probably not talking about flight costs, but it applies nontheless!

As for direct flights versus connecting flights, I once read that life is a journey, not a destination. That might hold true if we're not talking about a layover in the middle of the night at a nondescript airport where the coffee tastes like disillusionment. Sending metaphorical wisdom flying out of the window, I vote non-stop flights!

Another word you should get familiar with is the red-eye flight. It doesn’t mean you get free red contact lenses onboard, but refers to a flight typically overnight. Historically, red-eye flights were seen as the black sheep of air travel, but desperate times call for cheap flights! This can be a great way to save some cash if you can handle compromising some sleep and arriving looking like you've pulled an all-nighter at a vampire convention.

Oftentimes we find ourselves asking, "What is the best time to book?" Is it during the Superbowl halftime when everyone else is glued to their screens? (Sorry, Beyoncé.) Or perhaps during the height of the holiday season when everyone's too busy wrangling turkeys? Well, studies show that on average, the optimal time to book is usually 70 days before departure, so plan accordingly.

No matter what class you travel, be it premium economy, economy class, business class or first-class, Alaska Airlines is praised for its in-flight services. From delicious onboard food that doesn't always taste like mysterious formed protein, and exceptionally friendly service and pillow and blanket that mitigate the uncomfortable plane seat to lull you into a comfortable sleep, or at least a less uncomfortable one.

A key component to always consider is the baggage allowance. Alaska Airlines, ever the one for outdoing itself, gives you a whopping 70lbs to check-in (except if you pack a grizzly bear. That's not allowed, folks). And if your carry-on is packed with snacks for the journey, they won't judge, mainly because you didn't offer to share!

Lastly, but not in the least, if you find yourself a frequent flyer, consider joining Alaska's mileage program. It is, after all, a perfect way to convert jetlag into something more beneficial, like a free trip in the future.

All things considered, you're all set on the know-how of flying to San Diego on Alaska from Washington, D.C. As for their flight cancellation policy, I haven't had to use it, mainly because no sane person would ever want to cancel a trip to San Diego!

Well, that should cover everything you need for your upcoming adventures. Happy trails and, more importantly, happy flights!