Luxury Travel

Alaska Airlines Travel Review: Is the First Class Upgrade Worth It When Traveling with Family?

Alaska Airlines Travel Review: Is the First Class Upgrade Worth It When Traveling with Family?

A couple of weeks ago, we went to Disneyland as a family: my husband, our 4-year-old daughter, our 6-month-old baby, and me. Just thinking about being on a flight of more than 3 hours from Guadalajara (GDL) to Los Angeles (LAX) with a baby in my arms gave me a bit of anxiety, even though we already have quite a bit of travel experience.

If you’re planning a similar trip, here’s my rundown of the wins, the secrets we discovered, and how we made the journey much lighter (and whether paying the extra was truly worth it).

📋 Check-In: A Hidden Perk for Families

We don’t usually check luggage, so getting our electronic boarding pass a day ahead is always a must. However, when traveling with a lap infant, the app told us we had to stop by the Alaska Airlines counter in person.

When we arrived at the airport 3 hours before the flight, we ran into a tough reality: the general line was so long it spilled past its designated area. Waiting that long on our feet with a baby and a toddler is no easy feat. I decided to approach the staff and ask if there was a priority line for families with infants—and the answer was a resounding yes! We went straight through a special access point, which saved us a tremendous amount of stress.

💡 Traveler’s tip: Never stay in the dark. Many airlines have priority lines for families that aren’t always clearly marked. Always ask!

🛫 The Big Surprise: A Last-Minute First Class Upgrade

Our original tickets were in Premium Class, where the three of us were seated together in the same row (my husband, my older daughter, and me with the baby). When we got to the counter, we decided to ask if there happened to be any space left in First Class that we could purchase.

To our surprise, the answer was yes, and the cost was only $120 USD. We paid for the seat and were ready for the trip.

💡 Traveler’s tip: The staff told us that leftover First Class seats open up 3 hours before the flight. If you arrive early at the counter, don’t be afraid to ask about the possibility of an upgrade.

Despite the excitement of the upgrade, the truth is I wasn’t entirely sure it was the best choice. Since it was just a single seat for me, I didn’t know who I’d be sitting next to, and I worried that breastfeeding might feel a bit awkward with a stranger beside me.

🧳 Boarding and Stroller Logistics

One of my biggest concerns was how we’d manage the boarding flow while seated in different cabins. Fortunately, the Alaska Airlines staff were incredibly empathetic: even though my husband and older daughter had Premium Class tickets, they allowed them to board with me and the baby in the first group (Pre-boarding / First Class).

Boarding the plane with the calm of first class gave us the perfect time to stow our carry-ons and set up everything needed to keep my 4-year-old entertained during the flight. We also left our stroller right at the aircraft door (gate check) with the peace of mind that it would be handed back to us at the jet bridge immediately upon landing at LAX (and it was!).

💡 Traveler’s tip: Remember that you can check the stroller and car seat 100% free of charge on virtually any airline. Plus, the diaper bag counts as an extra personal item, so it doesn’t deduct from your allowed carry-on.

✈️ During the Flight: The Row 4 Experience

When I reached my seat in row 4, I discovered I had the window and also confirmed my suspicions: there was a man right next to me in the aisle.

Breastfeeding wasn’t as comfortable for me in that situation. Plus, being at the window meant that if I needed to get up to change a diaper or stand with the baby, I had to ask permission. What’s undeniable, though, is that the seat was more spacious and comfortable than Premium Class.

📱 Onboard Entertainment (and a Super Wi-Fi Hack)

Unlike other airlines, these planes don’t have individual screens. But living in the digital age, where everyone carries their own device, this wasn’t a problem at all:

🍕 Food and Drinks: The Real Test

I had excellent hospitality service. From the moment you reach your seat, the staff offers you all kinds of beverages and keeps constant attention throughout the journey. They pamper you with premium snacks like small bowls of almonds or mixed nuts.

The First Class ticket includes a hot meal service (usually with options like pasta, a burger, or enchiladas). The bad news is that, since I bought my last-minute upgrade at the counter, I could no longer reserve the dish I wanted and ended up with the enchiladas. In my opinion: I can’t say they were bad, but they weren’t exactly delicious either…

📝 Final Thoughts

In the end, my baby slept through almost the entire flight, which let me entertain myself on my phone, enjoy good drinks, and a decent meal.

✨ The Best Parts of the Trip:

  1. Unlimited internet for just $8 USD (shared).
  2. The generous legroom.
  3. The impeccable drink service.
  4. The stroller delivered in under 2 minutes upon landing in Los Angeles.

🤔 Were the $120 USD for the First Class Seat Worth It?

Giving my honest and personal opinion: honestly, no.

On the return flight, we all traveled together in Premium Class, and I found it much more comfortable—especially because the baby wasn’t bothering a stranger next to me, and I was surrounded by my family.

🔜 Coming soon: In the next blog post, I’ll share the full review of our family experience on the return flight with Alaska Airlines in Premium Class!