text: Alaska was my preferred carrier on the west coast until I decided to make the jump to loyalty program for a much larger network. I always have liked Alaska's level of service, however, and if I'm flying somewhere that's more convenient for Alaska's routes, then it's my top pick. For PDX-LAS - my normal carrier requires a two-leg journey, which is stupid. So Alaska is my go-to. They have multiple non-stop flights per day, and at least some of the planes have been updated with the new power outlets at every seat. And of course gogo in flght wifi. \n\nWhile airline service across the board is a mere shadow of what it used to be, as far as the current standards go, Alaska still wins in my book... unless you put it up against Virgin, which has pretty rad service too. That said, the folks who work these flights are nice and friendly. As much as the seat sizes and baggage nonsense make it feel like cattle call in Economy, the crews on the ground and in the air don't contribute to it at all. And when flying to and from LAS, where it seems the majority of people don't listen or can't understand basic rules/etiquette, they offer a firm display of reminders that I wish all gate agents would. Like turning people away from boarding when they're trying to board ahead of their group. Or not letting people with rollers on in the group that's supposed to be boarding without rollers. My one main gripe with boarding is that they do offer earlier boarding to people who only have bags that will fit under the seat. Guess what? Those people still mostly put those bags in overhead. Frankly if they offered gate-check where I could get my bag at the gate on the other end, I'd be happy to send my roller below. But otherwise it's all out battle for those overheads. \n\nAside from my main issue with their boarding processes, I dig the rest of the way they do things at Alaska. And I'll keep digging it... especially on this route.