Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class: a retro experience on the brink of being cutting edge

Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class: a retro experience on the brink of being cutting edge

If you’re looking for a perfect example of what happens when a fast moving / trend setting airline drags their feet on updating some of their older aircraft types, look no further than Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class.

The Alaskan-themed tapestry on the bulkhead walls (which I quite like BTW) reminds me of the 1970s. The deep blue mood lighting is very 2016. The wrinkly (and thicc) recliner-style seats remind me of the mid 2000s. The streaming in-flight entertainment and lightning fast Wi-Fi? Current times, baby!

Basically, this is a first class experience which will have you reminiscing about the past while reaping the benefits of modern technology. It weird. And I like it.

AS1096
Seattle, WA (SEA) – San Diego, CA (SAN)
Friday, November 17, 2023
Aircraft: 737-990ER
Registration: N260AK
Duration: 2 hours 25 minutes
Seat: 4A (first class)

Alaska Airlines 737-900ER (N260AK) side view
Alaska Airlines 737-900ER (N260AK) side view illustration by NorebboStock.com.
as1096 flight track
Our route from Seattle to San Diego today as AS1096.

My full review of Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class from Seattle to San Diego

Considering that my last flight on an Alaska Airlines a 737-900 was almost six years ago, I was very much looking forward to seeing what (if anything) had changed. I wasn’t expecting much, but I assumed there had to be something…

Arrival at the Seattle Tacoma International Airport

Is arriving at the airport at 8:52 AM (for an 11:35 AM flight) considered too early? The mega airline / airport dork in me doesn’t really know anymore. I assumed my timing to be just about perfect – though I understand how some would consider it borderline insanity.

Alaska Airlines check-in area Seattle Tacoma Airport
Welcome to the Seattle Tacoma International Airport! This is the home of Alaska Airlines – which is almost as weird as Northwest Airlines being based in Detroit (a city nowhere near the northwest). When did we as a society decide that it was OK to start disregarding geography?
SANspotter and Alaska Airlines Chester Eskimo
“You mocking me bro?”
SANspotter and Alaska Airlines Chester Eskimo Seattle Tacoma airport
He’s totally mocking me.
Central terminal Seattle Tacoma international airport
It’ll be obvious why Alaska Airlines set up camp here in Seattle once you take a peek inside the main terminal. It’s stunningly beautiful in here.
Alaska Airlines 737-900ER Seattle Tacoma international airport
Speaking of beautiful things, this is the Alaska Airlines 737-900ER which will be taking me down to San Diego this morning. BTW, what is it with that Eskimo? They’re multiplying!
Gate D2 Seattle Tacoma international airport
Gate D2 (which looks to be an excellent place to hide from condescending Eskimos) is where this flight will be departing from this morning.

The boarding process for flight number 1096 to San Diego

Boarding for this flight began exactly on time – though it wouldn’t have bothered me any if they were running late. The Seattle Tacoma International Airport is an amazing place to hang out (and eat), and spending a few extra hours here really wouldn’t have been the end of the world. Props to Alaska Airlines for staying on the ball though.

Alaska airlines first class boarding pass Seattle to San Diego
Let’s goooooo! Nevermind the fact that my boarding pass is indicating that boarding doesn’t begin for another 23 minutes. I’m ready AF.
SANspotter walking down gate D2 jet bridge Seattle Tacoma international airport
Here we go! This will be my third flight in Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class. I’m kinda surprised they’ve allowed me to come back considering how stupid the video I made about my first experience was.
Alaska Airlines 737-900ER boarding door
“You can’t make me do this.”
Alaska Airlines 737-900ER boarding door frame
Describing the perfection that is the Alaska Airlines Fruit and Cheese Platter was all it took to get him moving along. Works every time.
Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class cabin
It’s good to be back in Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class again! I can almost smell the fruit and cheese from the last flight.
Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class aisle
Please watch your elbows… bag full of dirty underwear coming through…

The seats

Those of you who read my Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 first class review are probably going to wrinkle your nose at the following pics. Those of you who came from my Alaska Airlines 737-700 first class review are probably going to like what you see. Basically, the 737-900ER first class seats are the older style (with modern amenities).

Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class seats
First class seats 4A and 4B (or as I like to call them, “places to sit while eating cheese”).
Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class leg room
Window seat passengers get kinda screwed when it comes to legroom. That metal box underneath the seat is everywhere my right foot wants to be!
Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class seat 4A
But we all got screwed when Alaska Airlines bought Virgin America (and promptly wiped their amazingly hip first class product from the face of this earth). *sigh*
Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class seats row 4
Even more depressing is the fact that this doesn’t look any fancier than what you saw in my Alaska Airlines E175 first class review. < shaking fest at the sky > VIRGIN AMERICA DIDN’T DESERVE TO DIE! < / shaking fest at the sky >
Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class seat backs with no video screens
It’s not all bad news though. Sure, the lack of video screens is a bummer, but…
Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class tapestry on bulkhead wall
…the traditional Alaskan tapestry on the bulkhead wall lives on! At the very least, this is proof that the Alaska Airlines executive team isn’t completely dead inside.
Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class power outlets and USB ports
They were even kind enough to leave enough money in the budget for full-size electrical outlets and USB-A ports between the seats. Bless their Virgin America-hating hearts.

The departure out of Seattle

Not only did they start the boarding process on time, they managed to get us all on board, situated, and ready to go far ahead of the scheduled departing time. Not an easy feat for a 100% full 737-900ER!

Gate D2 jet bridge Seattle airport
Did you know? Disconnecting from the jet bridge feels 10 times better when you do it 10 minutes early. This doesn’t mean I’m not still salty about the VX thing though.
Alaska airlines 737s parked at the gate SEA
It occurred to me as we were pushing of the gate that maybe the reason he’s so smug is because he finally hooked up with Pualani (after years of chasing her all around the west coast and Hawaii). Get some!
Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class window view
T-minus 25 minutes until being reunited with the Signature Alaska Airlines Fruit and Cheese Platter. Life could certainly be worse.
Taxiing to runway at the Seattle Tacoma international airport in Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class
Oh – I didn’t mention it earlier, but you can see some of that Alaskan-themed tapestry on the rear bulkhead wall as well. We’ll have to wait and see what Pualani thinks about that…
Taking off from the Seattle Tacoma international airport
‘Later Seattle! I’d bet pretty much anything that the Eskimo on our vertical stabilizer is giving this Delta A330-900neo the finger as we blast off. He just seems like that kind of guy.
Alaska Airlines 737-900ER taking off from the Seattle Tacoma international airport
Wait for it…
Flying over Mount Rainier
Mt Rainier! It’s one of Earth’s most beautiful zits IMHO. Top 5 (at least).
Flying past Mount Rainier in a Alaska Airlines 737-900ER
History lesson: There have been two fatal airplane crashes on Mt Rainier since 1946. I’m actually surprised there haven’t been more considering how close this thing is to the airport.

In-flight entertainment

Delta, United, and American Airlines are doubling down on video screens in every seat on every aircraft in their fleet. Alaska Airlines, on the other hand, seems to have said “nah bro, I’m good.” This doesn’t mean that the in-flight entertainment you’ll find in Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class is inferior (or straight up bad). They offer a very good streaming service, with fairly decent Wi-Fi as well.

Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class streaming in-flight entertainment main menu
The last time I flew Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class (2018), they provided each first class passenger with an Android-based tablet loaded with movies and TV shows. This time? You’re SOL without a smartphone, tablet, or laptop of your own.
Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class streaming movies and TV shows
This looks like a pretty good selection of in-flight entertainment to me! PornHub fans will be disappointed though.
SANspotter watching streaming in-flight entertainment in Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class
Those of you who don’t like holding your phone for two hours are probably going to be disappointed as well. Ain’t no personal device holders built into the seatback headrests unfortunately.
Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class in-flight messaging and Wi-Fi
Text messaging is free for everyone, but Wi-Fi is only available to anyone not stingy enough to shell out 8 whole dollars.
Watching streaming movies in Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class
I’m such an idiot. It wasn’t until the very end of the flight that I realized that there *is* a personal device holder built into the tray table. All this hand cramping was for nothing!
Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class personal device holders built into tray tables
Here’s a demonstration of said personal device holders built into the tray tables a picture of people far smarter than me.

The food

If there’s one thing that has gotten worse since my last flight on one of these aircraft, it’s the food. Now, don’t give me wrong – the Alaska Airlines Signature Fruit and Cheese Platter is (and always has been) phenomenal. It’s the best fruit and cheese platter in the US IMHO. That said, they don’t seem to be offering substantial meals (other than sandwiches and salads) much anymore.

Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class pre-meal drink service
Those of you were hoping to see what French Sauvignon Blanc (instead of this Diet Coke) I chose to pair with my cheese are reading the wrong blog. Just sayin’.
Alaska Airlines Signature Fruit and Cheese Platter
I have no idea why the Alaska Airlines Signature Fruit and Cheese Platter makes me so stinkin’ (pun intended) happy, but it does.
Alaska Airlines fruit and cheese lunch
It was either this or a sandwich of some kind. Those who chose the sandwich are dead to me.
Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class lunch tray
Get in my belly!
SANspotter eating lunch in Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class
I like the fact that this fruit and cheese platter is mass produced / low budget enough that even the grapes taste like cheese. Mmm!

Seat comfort

Despite how pillowy and fluffy the 737-900 first class seats look compared to what you’ll find on the MAX 9, overall comfort is just about the same. Legroom is identical, and your back will hurt just as bad after any flight of decent length.

Crossing legs in Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class
Post-cheese lounging (with no complaints from me about the legroom).
Alaska Airlines 737-900 first class seat recline
Seat recline is alright (but not great). Not that you’d want to do that anyway with a belly full of fizzy soda and pungent cheese.

It’s also worth noting that this 737-900ER first class experience is no different than what you saw in my Alaska Airlines 737-800 first class review. At the time of this writing, if you want the latest first class seat, you’ll have to fly on a 737 MAX aircraft.

The arrival into San Diego

Even when taking pictures directly into the sun through blotchy airplane windows, the views of San Diego on approach into SAN never disappoint. It was another picture perfect arrival, made even better thanks to being several minutes early.

Alaska Airlines 737-900ER descending into San Diego
Seems we’ve lost a bit of time in the air, and we’re now only four minutes early. What a load of malarkey!
Afternoon view of San Diego on approach into SAN
They don’t call it America’s Finest City for nothin’.
Afternoon short final approach into the San Diego airport
This is fine. Really, really fine. The finest.
Alaska Airlines 737-900ER landing at SAN view from seat 4A
Welcome to San Diego!
Alaska Airlines parked at Terminal 2 West San Diego airport
Interesting. Normally Alaska Airlines flights park at Terminal 2 East here at SAN, but we’re headed for Terminal 2 West (the international gates) instead. Looks like someone is headed to Mexico in a couple hours!
Alaska airlines flight pulling up the gate to 50 San Diego airport
Gate 50? Let’s hope the catering trucks have enough gas to drive all the way over here from Terminal 2 East.
Unbuckling seatbelt in Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class
Imagine flying all the way to Mexico without a fruit and cheese platter. ‘Malarkey’ isn’t a strong enough word to describe that kind of horror IMHO. That’s straight up bulls**t!
Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class passengers retrieving luggage from the overhead bin after a flight
I’m not sure what the plans are for updating these 737-900ERs with the latest first class seats, but I wouldn’t rush if I were them. This is still a perfectly fine (and comfortable) domestic first class product.
Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class aisle and seat coverings
I mean, it would be criminal to replace seats that are worn down / shiny enough to reflect the overhead mood lighting.
Exiting an Alaska Airlines 737-900ER through the forward boarding door
Hasta luego Amigo! Have fun in Mexico – and try not to buy any cool airlines while you’re down there, OK?

Pros and cons of the Alaska Airlines 737-900ER first class experience

Despite being some of the oldest aircraft in the fleet, the Alaska -900ER first class experience is easily as competitive (or better) than many other domestic US first class products. I would definitely choose this over United 737-900 first class. I would not, however, choose this over Delta 737-900 first class though. That is a slightly superior product (thanks to more substantial food options and high-quality video screens at every seat).

Pros

  • The streaming in-flight entertainment (and Wi-Fi) is every bit as good as what you find in most other domestic US first class products.
  • Many Alaska 737-900ERs feature the Boeing Sky Interior (which features mood lighting, spacious overhead bins, and narrower walls – which increases cabin width).
  • The cheese. That glorious fruit and cheese.

Cons

  • The seats are very basic (and do not include storage bins of any kind).
  • I (and your fellow passengers) will hope you’re not lactose intolerant, because the cheese is the best thing on the menu.

Comments (6)

  1. Maureen

    March 13, 2021
    • Scott (SANspotter)

      March 13, 2021
  2. Peter

    December 19, 2023
    • Scott (SANspotter)

      December 19, 2023
  3. luca

    December 24, 2023
    • Scott (SANspotter)

      December 24, 2023

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