Review: Alaska Airlines Regional Coach – Seattle To Bellingham And Back
We exited the Jetway into the N Satellite terminal at Seattle Airport. Our connection flight boarded in 20 minutes so, after quickly ingesting my burrito, we headed to gate C16D in the C Concourse that is a part of the main terminal. We took the escalator down to the North Loop Train and traveled over to the C Concourse.
Introduction: Washington Escort
Review: Alaska Airlines Domestic Coach – Sacramento To Seattle
Review: Alaska Airlines Regional Coach – Seattle To Bellingham And Back
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Alaska Airlines 2482
Seattle (SEA) – Bellingham (BLI)
Friday, April, 17th
Departure Time: 2:15PM
Arrival Time: 2:54PM
Flight Time: 39min
Aircraft: Bombardier Q400 twin-turboprop (aka de Havilland Canada Dash 8)
Seat: 3D, Alaska Airlines Regional Coach
North loop train
Boarding aircraft from the C Concourse gates is a little interesting. Once you pass through the gate door you walk onto a large ramp and double switchback that leads to ground level. At the ground level there is long glass encased corridor to multiple “doors” or exit points for the different aircraft loading areas. All the aircraft (the Dash 8s) are outdoors and boarding is done with mobile stairways (Q-Ramps) off the tarmac. Other than Seattle I’ve seen one other airport with this method of boarding, and that is Salt Lake City, E Concourse.
Gate C16D
Ramp down to tarmac
Glass corridor to tarmac doors
When we walked up the Q-Ramp and onto the plane we were welcomed by a friendly FA, Holly. Boarding is done from both ends of the plane and we quickly found and seated ourselves in 3D and 3E.
Plane side baggage check
de Havilland Canada Dash 8
I love the Alaskan Air Q400 aircraft, and it is absolutely wonderful to fly in. Despite being a small sized aircraft the seats are relatively normal size with a 31” pitch and 17” width size. For some reason these purple tinged brown leather seats feel roomy in this small aircraft. The coach only seating is arranged in a 2+2 configuration for 20/19 rows. Total seats 78. Only the smallest of bags fit in the overhead bin compartments and I needed to store my laptop rollaboard under the seat in front of me. I was concerned it wasn’t going to fit, but there is a surprising amount of room under these seats.
Q400 main cabin
3D and 3E
Knee room
Seat back
Our flight today
After everyone boarded, the cabin crew closed the doors and we taxied out onto the runway system. When the twin turboprops startup you feel yourself being taken back to scene in Casablanca, at least I do. After about 5 minutes of being on the runway we took off for Bellingham.
Our view most of the way to Bellingham
The climb out of Seattle was easy and we lumbered our way up north. It was overcast and sightseeing was limited. Susan commented how much she loves flying this connection on clear days in order to see the beauty of the San Juan Islands.
Wheels up to wheels’ down is about 25 minutes, and the flight attendants remind everyone of this when they say “this rather short flight” in referencing aspects of the trip. Because of the limited time, passenger service is limited to a glass of water and the flight attendants hurry through the cabin as they fill the plastic cups.
After being in the air for 15 minutes you start to make your initial decent into Bellingham. Ten minutes later your landing and on the ground at Bellingham Airport. The plane is unloaded directly onto the apron, again from front and back of the craft. A very short walk and you are into the Terminal building and then landside. Luggage takes about 15 minutes to reach you and then you’re on your way.
Luggage unload
Deplaning at Bellingham
Arriving Bellingham terminal
Interesting reader board
Susan and I had a nice time on our 2-night stay in Northern Washington. A couple highlights included seeing the tulip fields at Tulip Town and dinner at the Chuckanut Manor.
Tulip fields
Crab dinner
Stellar sunsets
Alaska Airlines 2649
Bellingham (BLI) – Seattle (SEA)
Sunday, April, 17th
Departure Time: 10:50AM
Arrival Time: 11:35AM
Flight Time: 40min
Aircraft: Bombardier Q400 twin-turboprop (aka de Havilland Canada Dash 8)
Seat: 3A, Alaska Airlines Regional Coach
Sunday morning came quick and Susan drove me to the Bellingham for my return flight. There is nothing easier than dropping a passenger off on a quiet Sunday morning at this Airport. Arriving at the check-in 1 hour before flight time I was the only passenger there. My one bag was checked in and I was promptly issued a boarding pass. The landside terminal is open and only Alaska Airlines and Allegiant Air operate of here. At security I was again the only passenger present and it felt like I had a private terminal for my use.
Quiet check-in area
Alaska Airlines check-in
Check-in machines
The other carrier at Bellingham
My private security screening
It’s a very short walk to all the gates that are part of a single long space. All the spaces empty onto the tarmac for outdoor loading and unloading. Just a couple years ago this airport was a small, old and worn building, but since then they’ve really improved it.
Boarding out of gate B
Gate B area
Getting close
Boarding was called a little late at 10:26AM. We walked thought the gate, onto the tarmac to climb up the airstairs, and then into the “de Havilland”. There is no fuss involved. Walking onto the plane I was greeted hello by the flight attendant and I found my seat 3A. At 10:38AM the doors were closed and by 10:48AM we were on our way to the runway. The captain came on and indicated that Seattle was experiencing some heavy traffic and for “flow” reasons we would wait for a while before takeoff. At 11:05AM we were cleared and ascended out of Bellingham.
Our plane
Our flight today
Open cabin
Q400 cabin
Side profile
Knee room
Seat back
Another cabin view
Again flight time for wheels up and down is about 25 minutes, and so a glass of water is the only service offered. It was a beautiful morning and the views on our flight were impressive. I would imagine an individual could spend a couple years exploring the extensive San Juan Islands if you had the time.
Taxiing on out
Passed this guy on our way out
Lifting out of Bellingham
Q400 Table
Water service
Great view of Samish Island
Final decent into Seattle
On the ground in Seattle
The flight path came down south of Seattle turned and flew in for a northward facing landing at 11:38AM. We were about 15 minutes late and the flight attendant asked for those without a tight connection to let others pass first. The ground crewman struggled with fitting the mobile Q-Ramp into place, but after an additional 5 minutes and some onboard groans, had it secured for deplaning.
Q ramp getting into position
Ramp into concourse
In summary:
Flying from Seattle to Bellingham and back in the de Havilland Canada Dash 8 is a real kick. The twin turboprops give the illusion of flying in the past, and the sights of the San Juan Islands on a clear day are beautiful. The service on this short flight is casual and proper for the nature of this trip. Combine the drinking water service, brown-purple leather seats, egalitarian nature of the cabin, and the drone of the turboprops for 25-minutes and you have a near perfect experience.