Okay this trip report is long overdue, and now that I'm on break from school, I have some time to write it up. I have family all over the Seattle area, Yakima, and Tri-Cities. I decided I wanted to go visit them during the summer before it was time to head back to school. I spent about 10 days in Washington state. I'm gonna let the picture do alot of the talking.

I was excited about this trip because it involved a lot of firsts for me. First time to both LAX and SEA, first time on a 763, first time on a 734, and first time on Alaska Airlines. I received AAdvantage Miles for the entire trip.

Final routing: DFW-LAX-SEA-LAX-DFW

August 7th, 2010
American 2421
DFW-LAX
Boeing 767-300 (N382AN)

My flight departed at 11:20am, so I arrived around 9:30am to have time for some spotting.

Preparing for the flight to MSP at Gate D21



The tail of my 767, after arriving from GRU, parked at D22







Our 3x weekly 747 service to ICN. In Summer 2011, the flight will switch back to a 777 but operate 5 days a week.



The mid-morning Eagle push to Mexico. These flights have often already departed by the time I arrive at DFW for work so I enjoy seeing these.



The line-up. Much better in the afternoon, although I love that 747.



I made my way back to D22 for boarding to LAX.

The 767 at neighboring D23 was fitted with winglets, and was preparing for departure 5 minutes after us to HNL.





By this time, I was very excited to be boarding my first 767!

My plane to LAX at D22.



Gate display boards at D22. Sorry about the blurrr



We soon began boarding. I quickly made my way to 34J, crossing to the other aisle!   I was welcomed aboard by our a very friendly flight attendant named Robin, whom I saw in the airport 3 weeks later. When I saw her, I walked up and introduced myself and thanked her for what she does, and being so friendly.









My 767-300 was outfitted with the 777 interior, and was sparkling clean inside. Although the flight went out 100% full in both cabins, many overhead bins remained empty.









Soon enough, the door was shut, all electronics were off (or not   ), safety video started, and we were on our way.



Neighboring 767 to HNL with a slightly delayed departure





2:48 enroute to LAX on this crystal clear August day. We left around 11:30am, and it was already 98F outside at DFW.















We soon made our turn towards Fort Worth and the west, towards California.



Soon enough, the seat belt sign was turned off and the crew of 9 flight attendants made their way into the aisles.

I got a Sprite with the can, and I also bought a tin of Lays chips.





I really like how the tray table folds in half, like such





Palo Duro Canyon from above





White Sands, NM?



We took a very southern route, with us nearly crossing into Mexico. I believe this is Las Cruces, NM



Soon enough, we began our descent into Los Angeles. It really does go on forever..







As we lined up with the runway, a Southwest 737-700 joined us on the northside for landing as well.





We had a very smooth touchdown in Los Angeles, where the temperature was 35 degrees cooler than that of Dallas/Fort Worth. I was planning on enjoying my 3 hour layover outside.



We had a very short taxi into Gate 49A, and with that, this concludes American 2421.



I needed to obtain my Alaska Airlines boarding pass, so I took the shuttle bus to Terminal 3 on the tarmac!







Narita bound





This was my first ever A380 sighting. What a large aircraft it is.



Rest in peace



I recieved my Alaska Airlines boarding pass, and was given a window seat! When I booked the flight, there were no windows available for pre-selection.

I then went outside security to enjoy the weather and walk around the other terminals and curbside.

Inside Tom Bradley



I couldn't get over the 65F temperature in LAX! During the summer, it rarely gets that cool during the night in DFW.















As the time went by, I decided to re-enter security at Terminal 3.











The Alaska 737-400 taking me to SEA today pulled up about 15 minutes late. No biggie.



August 7, 2010
Alaska 465
LAX-SEA
Boeing 737-400 (Reg unknown)

Boarding started quickly, and was very unorganized.

I was welcomed aboard by our purser, Jairo. Working with him today were Jorge, and Louise.

I found my seat, 15A.





Where does QX fly the CR7 to out of LAX?!?





Boarding was completed, and the door was shut about 15 minutes behind schedule. Once again, no biggie. The pilot informed us we would make up time in the air, and arrive in SEA on schedule.









We made our way to the end of the runway, and were #1 for departure on the northside.

My first ever sighting of the Pacific Ocean



We flew out of the ocean, and then turned northerly towards Malibu



Ventura Frwy in Calabasas?





Soon enough, we leveled off, seat belt sign extinguished, and Louise came by offering food and beverage services. They offered hot food for sale, but I was expecting a picnic dinner aboard the Kaleetan ferry after I arrived in Seattle!

I took a Sprite, and Party Mix.





As we flew over Northern California, Mount Shasta came into view











As we entered Oregon, we began flying over a blanket of cloud cover that would stay with us for the remainder of the flight to Seattle



Soon enough, we began our gradual descent into Seattle. The cloud deck came closer and closer





After about 10 minutes of flying through the clouds, we broke through and I got my first sighting of the Puget Sound



Puget Sound and Vashon or Bainbridge Island







The landing lights were turned on, and we began our 180 degree turn back to the south for a landing from the north







Bridge to Mercer Island



Boeing Field



Lots of moisture, more than I've seen in a long time being from Dallas







Touchdown in Seattle was very smooth











We taxied into Gate N6, and parked at exactly 6:06pm, our scheduled arrival time.   



This 737-400 would then depart for Ketchikan, Alaska after a short sit in Seattle

I met up with my family in the baggage claim area, and they took me right to Downtown Seattle and the ferry terminal were we would take the ferry to Bremerton, and enjoy a picnic dinner aboard the ferry.







In the following days, I got to visit Boeing Field, Paine Field, the Boeing Factory Tour, the Museum of Flight, Ride the Ducks, Ballard Locks, Space Needle, Pikes Market, and other various places. I'm a big fan of antique shops, so I loved visiting some of those in Edmonds while waiting for the ferry to Kingston. All in all, I rode the ferries 8 times while I was there, and I loved it!

Fast forward to Monday, August 16th, 2010-------

Since the family members that I were with on the days leading up to my voyage back home live in Yakima, we stayed in a hotel by the airport the night before I would head back. In the morning, I bid farewell to them in the room, and then just took the courtesy shuttle right to the airport.

I woke up around 5:45am, was down in the lobby by 6:20am for the 6:30am shuttle run to the airport. I ended up being the only person on the shuttle, so I sat up front and had a nice conversation with the driver whom is also from Texas, but moved to Seattle on a whim with $100 in his pocket. Great guy he was. He dropped me off at the Alaska Airlines curbside, and I made my way inside to a check-in kiosk. I really like Alaska's check-in area. Seemed very well organized, although it was a madhouse this Monday morning. After I dropped off my bag, I made my way to security, which was the longest security line I've ever waited in. From the time I got in line, to the time I was inside security, atleast 30 minutes had gone by. There was an woman behind me who had a United flight to DEN leaving 20 minutes from the time we entered the line. Needless to say, she missed her flight to DEN. Being from DFW, I'm not used to the long security lines since each Terminal at DFW has atleast 3 checkpoints.

Soon enough, I got through security and began walking around.

This Alaska 737 was headed for Honolulu



This Alaska 737 was headed for Las Vegas



A picture of the North satellite, where I arrived from LAX 10 days earlier at N6.



My cousin, an Alaska MVP Gold member gave me a certificate for entrance to the Board Room.

The Board Room was busy with businessmen this morning. A group of businessmen sitting behind me where talking about their delayed flight to San Francisco. Well, atleast you can wait out your delay in the Board Room.







As I was leaving, I stopped by the service desk and asked if there was any chance of me getting the upgrade on SEA-LAX, and they predicted I would miss it by 1. DAMNIT!    

My plane to LAX, outfitted with a lei.



This retro livery 738 was departing for Kailua-Kona





This 737-900 was departing for Phoenix



August 16, 2010
Alaska 458
SEA-LAX
Boeing 737-800 (I think N557AS. If someone at AS could look it up, it would be greatly appreciated.)

Around 8:20am, I made my way back to D6 for Alaska 458 to LAX. I went to the desk and asked the agent about the upgrade, and indeed I missed it by 1 person. Oh well. Boarding went by fast, and soon enough I was in 22F, but not before being welcomed aboard by our purser, Abra.



My view for the flight down to California, and the 738 down the way headed to HNL