Alaska Airlines from Washington, D.C. to Springfield-Branson Regional Airport

Leaning against the back of my seat aboard an Alaska airline flight, I watched the City of Magnificence shrink outside the rectangle window. Washington, D.C., you truly never disappoint. A one-way ticket in hand, I was bidding adieu to the capital and rolling the dice on a new adventure, one that involved my loyal hiking boots, a small town in Missouri and an emerging job opportunity. My thoughts circled like the spinning engine outside, both in anticipation and with a slight tinge of apprehension. Nervous yet thrilled, I was on a direct flight to the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport.

As I gazed out, I was reminded of how much I adore Alaska airlines. The smooth flight experience, punctuality and in-flight services always render a pleasant journey. I recalled the ease with which I was able to reserve my flight, clear boarding procedures and sensible baggage allowance - no surprise extra fees or eccentric rules. With its commendable connectivity offering both domestic flights and international flights, Alaska has always been my frequent flyer of choice.

Perusing Alaska's mileage program, I wondered, intriguingly, about how many miles I had accumulated over the years of my travel. Their frequent flyer scheme, which awards travelers with points and varying privileges based on the amount of travel done, has always intrigued me. Every time I book, it's like a tightrope of decisions - "Do I get a round-trip this time, or another one-way ticket? Will I try their premium economy, or advantageously use my points for a spot in the first-class?" Today, I'd chosen premium economy for the little extra legroom. A comfort much appreciated on such a long-haul journey.

Settling back into my seat, I pulled out the in-flight magazine. Between elegant advertisements for posh hotels in Maui and cheap flights to tropical destinations, I stumbled upon a little piece of trivia, involving our namesake, Alaska. The state was purchased from Russia for just $7.2 million in 1867. Quickly doing the math, I realized that was less than 2 cents an acre for more than 650 million acres powerful wilderness!

Back to the present, I thought about the journey ahead - the flora and fauna of Springfield and the serenity of Branson that might quite resemble the wilderness of Alaska! Then, my thoughts fluttered back to Google reviews, where fellow passengers shared their experiences of flying Alaska – the good and not so good. The positives always outweighed and thus, here I was, flying with Alaska Airlines again, embarking on an exciting new journey.

Every time I fly, I bear in mind the best time to book - it was Tuesday afternoons for me. And though nothing is certain in the world of airfare, in my experience, this has often yielded the best flight deals. My eyes anxiously darted towards the digital clock an inch above the cabin entrance. About four more hours. I'd chosen a red-eye flight for the tranquility it offered. The airport bustle had reduced considerably, and the flight felt quieter and more personal, almost like a lullaby ushering me into the dawn of a new day.

I pondered upon the implications of this adventure, the changes it would bring, the lessons I would learn and the people I would meet. I passively listened to the soft hum of the airplane, like distant echoes gently enveloping me amidst my sea of thoughts.

Flying, for me, is more than just embracing the thrill of visiting new destinations. It's equally about saying goodbye to a familiar place, a chapter of your life closing to make space for a new, rewritten story. I remember the first time I chose to fly Alaska, a novice traveler in a vast world of choices. Back then, I was excitedly embarking on my first-ever flight from D.C. I think back and smile, thankful for how far I've come, the places I've seen, the warm laughs I’ve shared in the skies. As one chapter ends and another begins, I can't help but anticipate with joy, my never-ending journey with the ever-reliable Alaska Airlines.