Alaska 737-800 Business Class

Welcome back, everyone! Today I am going to be showing you what it’s like to fly on Alaska Airlines’ super old 737-800 in Business Class. This is going to be an interesting one since these planes are super old, and I’m curious to see what they will be like in 2024!

Flight Information:

  • Date: February 15th 2024

  • Flight Number: AS1165 LAX-PDX

  • Aircraft: 737-800 NG

  • Seat/Class: 2F in Business Class

  • Registration: N27515

  • Flight Time: 2hr 35min

So here we go! My journey today began at LAX Terminal 6, somehow a place I had never been before. This was not my first flight on Alaska Airlines though. If you need to check in at Terminal 6, there is an area but it doesn’t look to be crowdproof. I found it to be an easier experience checking in online so I don’t see the point in doing it here unless you have to check. After this hall all we needed to do was head up an escalator to security. Shockingly at LAX the line only took a few minutes so nice job on the security Alaska Airlines. After that, it should be a short walk to the gate, but for me, I was going somewhere else. If I wasn’t though, in the short time I had in the terminal, I found it to be spacious, modern, and well-designed overall Terminal 6 is a pretty average place!

A look at the before and after security areas of LAX Terminal 6

After I finished up at security I decided to make my way over to the Alaska Air Lounge, since Business Class passengers receive a $20 discount on admission. Overall it is an amazing lounge, (you can see more about it in my review) but it’s a great place to relax and unwind before your flight, I decided to make some pancakes at the pancake maker because why not, it’s a part of the Alaska Airlines experience. I had an incredible time here and it’s recommended by me, so if you are in First class you should check it out!

A mini look at the amazing Alaska Airlines Lounge at LAX Terminal 6

After finishing up in the lounge it was finally time to go, so I walked over to gate 68B where we sat for a good 20 minutes because a crew member arrived late, poor me! After she arrived it was time to go, so the entire plane lined up in 1 lane because there was no organization, this eventually forced the line to go all the way to other gates which delayed us another 10 minutes, ether way a little delay like that won’t stop me, so shortly after we boarded, Here I also got my first look at the 737-800 taking me over to PDX

Some shots of the boarding gate for my flight to Portland

Once we had finally entered the jetway it was a short walk to the small 737-800 door which was where a super friendly FA greeted us. After that I began the walk of shame when I realized how old these planes are, I mean look at those seats! I couldn’t even tell you how deep the butt marks were. Like I really felt a dip, either way, the seats are great, but the cabin could use a big refresh, that yellow lighting isn’t looking too good. Also, the overhead bins need some work, yes it’s old but they can’t even fit a small suitcase!

The boarding process for Alaska Airlines flight 1165

Once I was seated and my butt had made its own mark my perception on this flight changed, These seats are so comfortable! Like you and have never felt anything like it, and with how little padding there is on seats nowadays, this is amazing. Although they look like they are lacking in amenities, they have everything you need, plenty of storage and legroom, a wide center console with a drink tray, power outlets, and a safety card that’s useful on Boeing Aircraft. Overall these are nice seats I just wish they were refurbished.

A good look around the Alaska Airlines 737-800 Business Class Seats

A little while later, our Flight attendant came around greeting us by name and asking for our drink and meal orders, this was for our PDB and meal. I had luckily preordered since everything tasty had run out. I also decided to get an Orange Juice before departure.

A look at my PDB Oj and our taxi to runway 24L

After a quick taxi out to Runway 24L we were on our way into the amazing Los Angeles morning. Something that shocked me after departure though was why we departed from runway 24L, I had no idea Alaska did that, it’s kinda cool though so keep it up Alaska

A look at our amazing departure from runway 24L at LAX

After departure, it was a smooth ride, so the flight attendants sprung into action beginning our meal service. Today we ordered the Fruit and Granola dish, which came with fruit and granola, along with milk. It was a super good meal, I just wish there were some more warm options. One small surprise though was how empty the back of the plane was, this meant there was a stack of extra snack boxes, so our FA came around passing them out to First Class for free. It was a nice surprise that made up for small meals. Also after I ate I decided to check out the IFE system which is a BYOD but overall it is pretty good and there are plenty of options.

A look at the meal service aboard our Flight to Portland

After finishing my food and watching a few Tv shows, the rest of the flight was pretty boring. In order to cope with that I decided to walk around and check out the bathroom, of course, I also looked out the window but Avgeeks get bored sometimes too ya know!

A look at the pretty uneventful flight to Portland

After a little while longer in the air, we began our descent into the grayest city in the world, but it also is home to a super cool and exciting approach, it begins with you passing over the Willamette and then the Columbia River before you descend over Vancouver Washington, not Canada, and then you pass the city on the right before you land on a super wet runway! It’s an Avgeek dream.

A look at our cloudy landing into Portland International Airport

After a super sick landing it was a very quick taxi to the gate where this flight is coming to an end, it was super fun and I had a nice time on Alaska Airlines today, now is the 737-800 in Business class worth the extra money, well keep reading to find that out!

A look at our arrival into PDX

So that’s it! I had a great flight on Alaska today but I don’t think the 737-800 in Business class is worth it. Yes, it was good but I do not think it is worth the extra money, in my opinion, the economy seats looked just fine, so I can’t see the justification for the extra cost. I will say though, that if you get a good deal it is worth it! Alaska’s service will make up for it in certain cases and for today I will give Alaska Airlines an 8/10. From the ground experience at LAX to the amazing service and lounge, Alaska is an amazing and high potential airline, that I can’t wait to see grow in the future, so that is it everyone thanks for reading and I will see you next time!

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