Flying on one of America's most unique commercial flights ~ Try an Alaska Airlines Milk Run

Other than Hawaii, the state of Alaska is one of the most unique states for transportation.  Because of the terrain and the fact that many areas are sparsely populated, the road system is minimal which leaves many areas inaccessible by car.  Juneau, the state capital, is the only US capital not connected to a road system.  With limited transportation options, everything must come from either air or water based transport.  Alaska Airlines has played a large role in aviation in Alaska with many routes serving the remote regions.  There are smaller feeder airlines that serve the VERY small and remote areas but Alaska Airlines mainly serves airports large enough to handle mainline jet aircraft.  

One of the more unique routes in the Alaska Airlines roster is what's affectionately known as Milk Runs.  Because everything must come by air or water, cargo can consist of not just mail and luggage but every day essentials like milk!, produce, dry goods, meats, bookshelves, TVs, car parts, office equipment and more.  If it's safe to transport by air, you can bet it's been shipped by Alaska Airlines.  Larger items like building materials, furniture, appliances, vehicles and mining equipment is usually transported by barge or the Alaska Marine Highway ferry.  Alaska Airlines can ship vehicles but that's uncommon for most people.  

In order to make transport as efficient as possible, Alaska Airlines daisy chains smaller cities rather than typical out and back routes which uses more resources.  While needed goods are brought in, produced goods like seafoods are shipped out.  Between Seattle and Anchorage, there are 6 major milk runs in operation today.  Flights 62, 64 and 66 are southbound routes from Anchorage to Seattle and Flights 61, 65 and 67 are northbound routes from Seattle to Anchorage.  The routes run in pairs, one north and one south.  Route 61 and 66, Route 64 and 65 and Route 62 and 67.  There are other routes that hop around but not in the same fashion as the above routes.  

If you're an aviation fan like myself, flying on one of these milk runs is something of interest and a badge of honor.  Unfortunately, you cannot just fly on one of these routes end to end.  For example, on Flight 64, you could not fly from Anchorage to Seattle.  You would have to fly from Anchorage to Ketchikan or any of the other stops.

I recently flew on Flight 67 from Anchorage to Juneau with stops in Cordova and Yakutat.  It was very interesting seeing the different people getting on and off and wondering about why they are coming or going to these remote places.  Since my trip was in June, it was a hodgepodge of locals, tourists, workers in the seafood industry and fishing enthusiasts.  

I was able to score a First Class upgrade which was nice not only for the bigger seat but also for the birds-eye view of the action.  From seat 1F, I could see all of the cargo coming and going as well as see all of the passengers.  All three flights were roughly 35 minutes in the air each.  When flying southbound, you'll want to sit on the left for best views and on the right on northbound flights.  Even though I was on the wrong side, the views are still great.  It's Alaska after all!

Once on the ground in Cordova, air-stairs are rolled up to the front door.  In years past, these routes were usually served by the 737-400 Combi which was half cargo and half passengers with boarding by the rear door.  Currently, these routes are mainly served by 737-800 aircraft and there are now dedicated cargo planes.

An unusual sight out the front door are trees.  Like a forest of trees rather than the concrete and metal jungle of most airports.  On this flight, about two thirds of the passengers disembarked and a handful boarded.  Cordova is a major seafood processing point so about two dozen boxes were loaded on.  We were on the ground for about 40 minutes before departing for Yakutat.

I enjoyed a quick slurp of whiskey before arriving in an even smaller airport.  A lot of grocery and household items came off here and a dozen passengers boarded.  The final leg to Juneau was jovial as most of the passengers who boarded in Cordova and Yakutat were headed to Seattle and beyond.

• The reminder of the passengers who boarded in Anchorage disembarked in Juneau where a lot of people were waiting to board.  I really enjoyed this flight even though it took almost 4 hours compared to the nonstop flight which is about an hour and twenty minutes.  It's just a unique peek into the lives of those who venture to the remote parts whether to live, work, hunt or tour.  I hope to take a northbound milk run from Ketchikan to Juneau sometime.  

Flying to Cordova Alaska

Looking out the front door of the airplane in Cordova, Alaska

Cordova Alaska Airport terminal

Flying to Yakutat Alaska

Flying to Yakutat Alaska

Yakutat Airport terminal.  It's smaller than it looks

Downtown Juneau from the air

Airport Codes:

ANC - Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport 

CDV - Merle K. (Mudhole) Smith Airport (Cordova)

JNU - Juneau International Airport

KTN - Ketchikan International Airport

PSG - Petersburg James A. Johnson Airport

SEA - Seattle–Tacoma International Airport 

SIT - Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport 

WRG - Wrangell Airport

YAK - Yakutat Airport 

Flight 61:
SEA-JNU
JNU-YAK
YAK-CDV
CDV-ANC

Flight 62:
ANC-JNU
JNU-SIT
SIT-KTN
KTN-SEA

Flight 64:

ANC-JNU

JNU-PSG

PSG-WRG

WRG-KTN

KTN-SEA

Flight 65:

SEA-KTN

KTN-WRG

WRG-PSG

PSG-JNU

JNU-ANC

Flight 66:

ANC-CDV

CDV-YAK

YAK-JNU

JNU-SEA

Flight 67:

SEA-KTN

KTN-SIT

SIT-JNU

JNU-ANC

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Alaska Airlines Elite status matching and delay compensation

Alaska Airlines Elite Status and delay compensation

In a time when it seems like every airline is trying to punish the passenger for having the audacity to fly with them, Alaska Airlines seems to be one bucking the trend.  Last year was rather busy for me and I earned the lowest elite status with American Airlines, Gold.  While that was nice, they quickly changed the mileage earning scheme to the revenue based model like United and Delta had a few years before.  However, my love for visiting Alaska had me flying on Alaska Airlines more and getting the significantly reduced miles using my AAdvantage really felt like I was being cheated since Alaska is really far away.

I had heard that Alaska Airline Mileage Plan matched status with certain airline mileage programs so I decided to give it a shot.  Using the info found on thepointsguy, I emailed the department the required information and about two weeks later, was granted MVP status.  I had the lowest tier of AAvantage so I got the lowest tier of Mileage Plan.  But it was moot as I had to delay my next Alaska trip for a few weeks and ended up flying on another airline.

By the time I got around to flying on Alaska Airlines, it was a short hop from Juneau to Anchorage via the famed milk run Flight 65 which runs from Seattle to Ketchikan to Wrangell to Petersburg to Juneau to Anchorage.  I booked the ticket a week before departure.

I was camping at the Mendenhall Campground but happened to be at the Safeway 24 hours before departure so I used the wifi to check into my flight via the app.  The next day, I arrived to the Juneau airport to check in and was delighted to find I was upgraded to First.  With Alaska, you don't have to worry about segments and how long the flight is.  You either get an upgrade or you don't.  I proceeded to security and got up to the departure lounge to find that the flight was running a half hour behind.  No big deal.  But by the time I came out the bathroom five minutes later, the delay ballooned to 3 hours!  Apparently there was a mechanical problem with the plane in Petersburg.  I went to the bar and had a few drinks and a pizza and returned to the gate area to find the flight was still 3 hours delayed.  They asked if anyone had not gotten their meal voucher and I was like, ME!

As this was an issue within the airline's control, Alaska offered a $12 meal voucher which could be used at the restaurants at the airport or two locations off airport grounds.  The two restaurants were about a 10 minute walk from the airport.  I opted to stay at the airport as I did not want to go through security again.  About 30 minutes before the estimated departure time, I redeemed my voucher for a salad.  If you've been to Alaska, $12 does not go far, haha!  Hoping to begin boarding soon, I was informed the plane was still on the ground in Petersburg but was getting ready to leave.

After a four and a half hour delay, the plane finally arrived.  After a rather quick turnaround, I boarded with the First class passengers and settled into 1A.  The new departure time rolled around and more bad news came in.  Apparently a door seal problem.  After another 30 minutes, the front door was finally shut and we headed to the runway.  Or so we thought.  The plane paused before the runaway and the captain came over the intercom to inform us there was now a flap problem and we would be returning to the gate.  When it rains, it pours.

So back at the gate, many passengers were quite despondent about their connections and wished to try for the next two departures.  Probably half the passengers deplaned in hopes of snagging a seat on the two remaining flights of the day.  I however was not in a hurry as were most of the First class passengers.  The guy behind me asked if there was a meal and the flight attendant served most their snack.  I opted to wait until we got in the air but enjoyed a nice Jack on the rocks while we awaited further news.  After an hour, the plane was given the all clear and we proceeded back to the runway.  Finally, we were airborne and on our way for the short 90 minute flight.

Once in the air, I had another Jack and my snack.  I was quite surprised at the quality of the "snack" as opposed to a snack (bag of chips or nuts) on any other airline I flown First on for much longer flights.  Basically, a charcuterie plate with pastrami, cheese, olives and bread with mustard spread.  While small, it was defiantly filling after eating pizza and salad waiting out the delay.  A final Jack and we were on final approach to Anchorage.

What was supposed to be a 3:15 PM arrival turned into a 10:00 PM arrival.  I was just happy to arrive at all and headed to my lodging.  I received an email apologizing for the delay and was promised a $150 discount for a future flight.  The next day, the discount code came and it was for $200.  I am quite impressed that not only did Alaska Airlines keep me well posted along the delay but that they also offered the meal voucher AND $200 in credit.  I have been delayed for similar reasons on other airlines and was lucky to get rebooked and a sorry.  While I can't guarantee you'll be treated the same if you're delayed with Alaska, they have definitely earned my future business and I hope they can resist the notion to conform and keep their mileage plan... a mileage plan.

Note that discount does not cover taxes and airport fees so even if the ticket costs less than the value, you'll still have to pay something.  But still a good deal as it's a discount that you otherwise wouldn't have.

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All photos taken by Paul Clough.  

© All Rights Reserved.  Please contact for permission to use photos.