Alaska Air 399 PSP-SFO 14 May 07 First

Well here I am back in SFO (arrived on VS19 last week, went to Napa and then to Beverly Hills, then to Palm Springs where I have left the no. 1 in the best guest house we've found [Casa Ocotillo for the pinkers on V-Flyer, very nice indeed]) ... for a few days of work that unfortunately coincided with a long-planned holiday.

I had looked at a number of options including going back to SF from LAX but eventually decided on Alaska Air from Palm Springs into SFO. First looked reasonable so I gave it a go.

The plane was a 737-400, internally in good condition and very clean, first class seats had great width but usual US first class pitch, which was perfectly adequate. I had seat 1A and had planned on good views of the coast upto SF, however it was a little foggy. The flight was scheduled for 0700 departure and 0830 arrival, which is great timing for a day of work. As it happens, boarding was swift with front and rear doors used, and take-off at 7.05 and 45 seconds! Palm Springs doesn't usually suffer from traffic on the ground [:)] but does often suffer delays caused by nearby arriving airports not finalising clearance to land (notably LAX which is but 30-45 mins away). Arrival then at a great 8.10 at the gate with no delays at all. Heathrow this certainly wasn't.

On board, it being a short flight, drinks orders were taken before the off and with a short flight it was coffee, juice and cookies. I am always somewhat amazed by people who order booze at this time, and a couple in first did just that [:I] ... but it may have been the end of their holiday. Cabin crew were smiley, civil and efficient - I hear Alaska Air pride themselves on their service - the flight was going on to Seattle and as I left I could smell breakfast cooking, so obviously on the longer leg more food was served.

I did miss, though this may be urban myth, any little printed prayers on seats or with drinks - I had heard that Alaska Air do this and was really looking forward to my little God missive. However I was entertained by the cabin crew announcement on landing: 'well howabout a little round of applause for that awesome landing', which people did, though I felt it was pretty unawesome!

On this basis, the return and back to holiday on Wednesday evening should be fine, and I'll certainly have a drink or two at 9 pm!

As an aside, flew from SFO to LAX in American in first on Friday. Workhorse of a MD80 and the usual tired cabin, but again more than comfy for a 50 minute flight, but made up by the FA in first who was a scream.