sholio | This sounds like something we'd do, honestly

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This sounds like something we'd do, honestly

I'm researching Alaska in the 1970s for a thing I'm thinking about writing, and I just learned that during the Cold War, Alaska Airlines at one point made its own secret deal with the Russians without actually bothering to ask permission from the US government:

In the late 1960s Willis [then-CEO of Alaska Airlines] made his boldest move yet; after three years of secret negotiations with officials of the Soviet Union, he won permission from the USSR to take tourist flights into Russia during the height of the Cold War. The State Dept. was aghast but couldn't block the plan because it would have offended the Russians needlessly. In 1970-71 Alaska took a dozen flights a year into Khabarovsk, where Intourist received the groups for tours to Leningrad after which Alaska flew them back on a route over the North Pole.

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Wow, that’s absolutely amazing. I am always pleased when I get to fly Alaska Airlines, and this will only make that even more delightful.

I really enjoy flying with Alaska, as an airline, though granted I don't really have a choice because they're probably 90% of the scheduled flights in the state. XD But in the winter, when tourist season is over and the in-state flights are mostly just carrying locals, they get weirdly relaxed. I've been on flights that served free beer, and I was on one flight where the pilot came on the intercom and was like, "Hey, you guys wanna see Denali???" and then, zoop, our scheduled commuter flight to Anchorage took a 90-degree jog off to the right and flew around Mt. Denali so we could get a good look at it. (This is also when I learned that FAA regs don't allow flights directly over the top of the mountain; it's restricted airspace.)

our scheduled commuter flight to Anchorage took a 90-degree jog off to the right and flew around Mt. Denali so we could get a good look at it

Isn't that, uh, exactly what caused the crash of BOAC 911? Detouring to take a look at a mountain? Granted, that was in 1966, and planes are significantly better made now, but still...

Hmmm, maybe that's why they're not allowed to fly over the mountain ....

*dies laughing*

Also HOMG that is so useful as a tidbit to know for figuring out YBEB-verse Cold War era logistics.

Edited 2019-08-17 15:45 (UTC)

Oh, gosh. The Alaskan Stranger Things prequel we all deserve.

Agreed!

Alaska! It's a whole nother country!

In 1970-71 Alaska took a dozen flights a year into Khabarovsk, where Intourist received the groups for tours to Leningrad after which Alaska flew them back on a route over the North Pole.

That's great.