After more than 20 years of family trips, this is my honest Alaska Airlines review

If someone asked me to choose one destination that has shaped our family more than any other, my answer wouldn’t even take a second. Hawaii.

Not because it’s the most exotic place we’ve visited or the furthest from home. We’ve been fortunate to travel all over the world with our six kids, but Hawaii has become something much more than a vacation destination.

It's woven into our family's story.

So consider this my Alaska Airlines review as much as it is a Hawaii love letter—because many of our trips wouldn’t have been possible without them.

The magic of Hawaii isn’t just the beaches

Mike proposed to me on the Big Island while we were watching the sunset in Kona. We said “I do” on the beaches of Maui. Years later, after countless family trips, we fell so in love with Kauai that we eventually purchased vacation rentals there because we simply couldn’t imagine not coming back.

Every island holds a different chapter of our lives.

And somehow, every time we return, it feels like coming home.

Of course, the beaches are incredible.

The water really is that blue.

The sunsets really are that breathtaking.

The fruit somehow tastes sweeter.

But what keeps bringing us back year after year is something much harder to explain.

Hawaii has this incredible way of slowing everyone down.

The kids put their phones away without us asking.

Dinner lasts a little longer because nobody is rushing off to the next activity.

Instead of checking our schedules, we’re looking for sea turtles swimming just offshore or debating whether we have time for one more shave ice before sunset.

Some of my favorite memories aren’t the big adventures—they’re the little moments I never could have planned.

Watching one of our kids catch their very first wave.

Finding tiny hermit crabs along the beach in Kauai.

Stopping at roadside fruit stands and letting everyone pick something they’ve never tried before.

Listening to live Hawaiian music while we linger over dinner because no one is ready for the day to end.

Those are the moments that stick with you.

They’re the reason Hawaii never gets old.

Every island has its own personality

One of the questions I get asked most often is, “Which Hawaiian island is your favorite?”

Honestly?

That’s like asking me to choose my favorite child.

Kauai will always have a special place in my heart because it’s where we slow down the most. We spend our mornings watching the waves from the lanai, hiking through lush jungles, and chasing waterfalls that somehow look even more beautiful in person than they do in photos.

Maui will always be sentimental because it’s where we were married. We still love driving the Road to Hana, spotting sea turtles at the beach, and ending the day with dinner overlooking the ocean.

The Big Island will forever remind me of the beginning of our story. Every visit brings us back to that evening in Kona when Mike proposed, and now it’s one of our kids’ favorite islands for snorkeling, manta ray tours, and exploring Volcanoes National Park.

And Oahu? We love introducing first-time visitors to the islands there. Waikiki has an energy that’s so much fun, and the mix of incredible beaches, history, hiking, and amazing food makes it easy to understand why so many families fall in love with Hawaii after their very first visit.

My honest Alaska Airlines review

One thing I’ve learned after traveling with six kids is that getting there matters almost as much as where you’re going.

A stressful travel day has a way of following you into your vacation.

A smooth one lets the excitement begin before you’ve even landed.

That’s one of the reasons Alaska Airlines has become such a great option for West Coast families heading to Hawaii.

I love that every seat offers generous legroom, because anyone who’s traveled a few hours with kids knows every extra inch helps. Being able to pre-order meals before your flight means one less thing to think about once you’re onboard, and reserved seating makes it easy to keep everyone together.

Most of all, it’s the genuine hospitality that stands out.

When you’re traveling with a family, those little moments—a warm greeting, a helpful crew member, someone who goes out of their way to make your trip easier—make a bigger difference than people realize.

Travel days can feel hectic.

It’s always refreshing when an airline helps them feel a little easier, and that's really the whole reason I wanted to review Alaska Airlines flights.

If Hawaii has been on your bucket list…

This is your sign.

People often wait for the “perfect” time to visit Hawaii.

Maybe when the kids are older.

Maybe after work slows down.

Maybe next summer.

But after years of family travel, I’ve learned that the memories are almost always worth making now.

Your kids won’t remember the laundry waiting at home.

They’ll remember spotting sea turtles for the first time.

Learning to surf.

Eating pineapple so fresh it barely tastes like the kind from the grocery store.

Watching the sun disappear into the Pacific while everyone sits quietly together.

Those are the memories that stay with you. And they're worth planning around, whether that means picking the right island first or just finally looking into Alaska Airlines flights and getting a date on the calendar.

One more reason to book with Alaska Airlines

If you’re planning a summer getaway, it’s worth checking out Alaska Airlines’ current flight deals to Hawaii and destinations throughout their network. Between the legroom, the ease of getting everyone seated together, and the fact that Hawaiian Airlines routes now fall under the same umbrella, it's become an easy call for us year after year.

And if you haven’t joined Atmos Rewards yet, it’s an easy way to make future trips even more rewarding. New members can receive $25 off their next flight, making it even easier to start planning your next adventure.

After more than twenty years of traveling to Hawaii, I can honestly say this:

I’ve never once regretted booking the trip.

Only waiting too long to take it.

So if you’ve been dreaming about Hawaii, maybe this is the summer your family finally makes those memories, too.