Is it OK to travel again?
Based on the crowds at the airport, travelers are answering with their feet. People are on the go — and service providers are struggling to keep up.
On a recent trip down to the Pacific Northwest and Juneau, I visited four airports, flew two airlines, relaxed in two airport lounges and helped my sister celebrate her birthday. That last part makes me one of the many travelers flying to see friends or relatives after more than a year of pandemic-induced shutdowns.
For the outbound flight, prices were pretty high between Anchorage and Seattle. But after signing up for Delta’s American Express card (and spending the requisite $2,000), I had 70,000 points to use.
Delta sells tickets to Seattle for as little as 5,500 miles. But since rental cars are too expensive, I booked a mileage ticket all the way to Eugene, Oregon. Right now, you can get a basic economy ticket for 6,000 miles. It costs almost double that to get a “Comfort +” seat with extra legroom.
Arriving early for my 5:55 a.m. flight, I looked up to the Sleeping Lady Lounge at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. It’s upstairs, behind the bronze statue of the late Sen. Ted Stevens, between the B and C concourses.
Delta Air Lines installed a pop-up SkyClub in the lounge. So, if you have a membership, you can enjoy a drink and some snacks while enjoying a good view of the planes. You also can gain entry if you have the Delta “Reserve” American Express card. The cost is $550 per year.
Window seat at Delta’s new pop-up SkyClub at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. (Scott McMurren)
Just down the hall, Alaska Airlines’ lounge is a great way to escape the noisy airport, although there were very few people there at 5 a.m. If you’re not a lounge member, you can get in with a Priority Pass membership as long as it’s not too crowded. The Alaska lounge offers espresso drinks, which I really missed at the Delta lounge….