If you frequently fly on Alaska Airlines, access to one of the carrier’s airport lounges can significantly improve your preflight experience. It’s no secret that airports can certainly be a bit chaotic, especially if you’re flying during peak travel season or the holidays. So, with complimentary food and drinks and a chance to relax while you wait for your flight, Alaska Airlines’ lounge experience can provide a more quiet and luxurious preflight experience. Luckily, getting inside the lounges isn’t too difficult.
Alaska Airlines offers a rather extensive lounge network for a primarily domestic and short-haul airline. It operates a total of nine lounges across six airports throughout the U.S. These lounges can be found at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Portland International Airport (PDX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Each lounge offers amenities such as fast Wi-Fi, power outlets, barista-made espresso beverages, a full bar featuring complimentary local craft brews, West Coast wines and spirits, and complimentary prepackaged snacks.
To gain access to Alaska lounges, there are a few different options. The first option is to purchase an annual membership. Alaska Airlines sells two types of memberships: Alaska Lounge and Alaska Lounge+. The standard membership provides access to Alaska lounges only, while the extended option offers access to a network of partner lounges, including all American Airlines Admirals Clubs, Qantas Club locations, and some United Clubs. The price for these memberships varies depending on whether or not you have MVP elite status, with discounts available for elite members.
Another way to access Alaska lounges is through single-entry passes. These passes can be purchased at the lounges themselves and allow entry for you and up to two guests or immediate family members. Additional guest passes are available at a reduced rate for lounge members. However, it’s important to note that starting February 1, 2024, you can only enter a lounge with a same-day boarding pass on a flight operated by Alaska Airlines, a Oneworld alliance partner, or another Alaska partner.
Alaska Airlines also offers lounge access to its elite members. The airline’s elite program has four tiers of status: MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K. Elite members can earn Alaska Lounge daypasses, which can be shared with friends and family. Additionally, Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status holders can access Alaska lounges when flying any Oneworld flight on the same day, with one guest allowed.
Passengers traveling on a paid first-class ticket or a first-class award ticket can also access Alaska lounges if the flight exceeds 2,100 miles, they are traveling to Hawaii, or if it’s an international long-haul flight. However, passengers who upgraded to first class won’t have access to Alaska lounges.
Unfortunately, Priority Pass holders no longer have access to Alaska’s lounges. However, Priority Pass does provide access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide, so it may still be worth considering for lounge access at other airports.
In conclusion, if you frequently fly on Alaska Airlines or are a Oneworld elite member, access to Alaska lounges can greatly enhance your preflight experience. With a variety of membership options and single-entry passes available, there are several ways to enjoy the amenities and comforts of Alaska’s lounges. However, if you don’t regularly fly with Alaska Airlines or frequent airports with Alaska lounges, it may not be worth the financial investment.