My last flight on Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737-9 Max in first class from Seattle (SEA) to Honolulu (HNL) was a delightful mix of comfort, scenic views, and enjoyable dining.
From navigating a foggy Seattle morning to savoring Kalbi beef at 30,000 feet, the journey offered a lot to review. Here’s a comprehensive look at the experience, from the pre-flight setup to the final touchdown back home.
The video below goes into more detail and covers just about everything below.
Booking and Pre-Flight Experience
Booking my first-class ticket was straightforward, but as I was traveling on an upgrade certificate (fare class “U”), I didn’t have access to the Alaska Lounge included with my ticket. Fortunately, my American Airlines Admirals Club membership allowed me entry.
Alaska Airlines lounges at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are well-appointed, and I spent time at the North Satellite Lounge, where I enjoyed some clam chowder and a margarita before my flight. I have another video that compares all 3 Alaska Airline Lounges in SEA-TAC if you want to see more.
While waiting, I also explored the Central Terminal, where large windows and rocking chairs provide an excellent spot to plane-watch. Planes I spotted included a Singapore Airlines A350 and an Alaska Airlines livery honoring veterans, complete with wing tips adorned with an American flag design.
Boarding and Departure
Flight 853 departed at 3:35 p.m. from Gate N10.
Pre-boarding beverages included water, POG juice, or a POG-mosa served in paper cups. Naturally, I opted for the POG-mosa—it felt like the right thing to do on a Hawaiian-bound flight.
The weather in Seattle was foggy but clearing as we pushed back from the gate. Takeoff was breathtaking, with low-hanging fog giving way to views of Mount Rainier towering majestically in the distance. Watching the sunset as we chased the sun across the Pacific was one of the visual highlights of the journey.
The First Class Cabin
The Boeing 737-9 Max first-class cabin features a standard domestic first-class layout with:
- Spacious leather recliner seats.
- Adjustable headrests and footrests (though, at 6’2″, I found the legroom could have been slightly better).
- Power outlets and USB ports for charging devices.
- A tray table stored in the armrest, which was sturdy and spacious.
The seat was comfortable for this Hawai’i bound flight, offering plenty of room to work, dine, or relax. Yes, there are lie flat seats to Hawai’i offering a significant upgrade in comfort but I knew what I was getting from the get-go.
Inflight Entertainment and Wi-Fi
The onboard entertainment system offers streaming via Alaska’s app, featuring a good selection of movies and TV shows. However, there were no games available, which was a bit disappointing for someone who enjoys puzzle or arcade-style games in-flight.
Wi-Fi options included:
- Free in-flight texting via a mobile device.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi for T-Mobile customers.
- Standard Wi-Fi for $8 (a fair price for a five-hour flight).
Dining in First Class
One of the standout aspects of this flight was the dining experience. About a week before departure, I pre-ordered the Kalbi Beef, which came highly recommended by members of an Alaska Airlines Facebook group.
Meal Breakdown:
Kalbi Beef: Fork-tender short ribs in Kalbi sauce, paired with coconut curry fried rice, roasted bok choy, a grilled pepper, and sundried tomatoes with a dollop of ricotta cheese. The beef was flavorful, though it leaned more toward pot roast than the charred, bone-in Kalbi you’d find at a Hawaiian BBQ joint. The sauce added a nice kick, and the rice and vegetables were well-seasoned and cooked to perfection.
Bread: Soft and fresh sourdough, a pleasant departure from the rock-hard rolls often served on flights.
Dessert: A creamy cheesecake garnished with an orchid—rich, flavorful, a great way to end the meal.
While I enjoyed my Kalbi, other options like the Smoked Salmon with Curried Vegetables also come highly recommended.
Tip: Pre-order your meal to secure your preferred dish, as popular options tend to sell out.
Snacks and Drinks
After the meal service, flight attendants offered a snack basket featuring:
- Coconut-covered cashews
- KIND bars
- Potato chips
- Popcorn
I chose the avocado oil sea salt chips, which were disappointing—skip them if you have other options. On the beverage side, I sampled the Straightaway Margarita before dinner, which was strong but too bitter for my taste. For a smoother pairing, I switched to Stumptown Coffee, specially crafted for in-flight enjoyment, as they say 🙂
Final Thoughts
This Alaska Airlines first-class flight delivered in terms of comfort, scenic views, and dining. While the seating and amenities are standard for domestic first class, the service and attention to detail—like the orchid garnish and fresh macadamia nuts, made the flight complete.
Would I recommend flying Alaska Airlines first class to Hawaii? Absolutely. From the spacious seating to the quality meal service, it’s a great way to begin a Hawaiian vacation. Just go in knowing this is a domestic first-class seat and not a lie-flat suite.
Tips for Your Flight
Lounge Access: Confirm if your fare class includes lounge access or consider an Admirals Club membership for access to Alaska lounges.
Pre-Order Meals: Popular dishes like the Kalbi Beef can sell out, so plan ahead.
Download Entertainment: While Alaska’s streaming options are solid, downloading your favorite movies or shows ahead of time is always a good idea.
Related Content
- Video Review: Alaska Airlines First Class on the Boeing 737-9 Max SEA-HNL
- Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 787 First Class Review
- Best Places To Stay In Hawai’i
If you’ve flown Alaska Airlines first class, what was your meal choice? Let me know in the comments below.
Nice review! Agree with everything except when you said if you are going to travel across the pacific to Hawaii this first class seat is the way to do it…its not even debatable that hawaiian airlines first class lie flat is the way to do it from SEA. In fact this is why so many people are so upset about Alaska taking over HA. The first class doesn’t come close
Hi Benji, You are definitely right on this one. I will be reviewing the new Hawaiian Airlines 787 first class in a couple of weeks as well. The A330 setup is also nice with Hawaiian.