Good morning from Seattle!

It’s cold, rainy, and dark here, which makes me really miss Punta Cana (and the airport’s infinity pools overlooking the tarmac).

I’m on my first work trip of the year, and Alaska Airlines promised me it’d be worth braving the Pacific Northwest winter to join them for a big event happening later today. (The blockbuster news is already live — you’ll find it below.)

I like westbound transcontinental flights, especially when there’s a lie-flat seat up front.

Alaska doesn’t (yet?) have them on transcons, but I still had nearly six hours to enjoy an actually tasty meal in first class and catch up on all the emails I neglected during the holidays.

Returning from the West Coast back home is never fun. Sure, the flight is shorter, but the three-hour time change means you’re either flying all day or taking a redeye. (If you have a helpful routine for eastbound transcons, let me know by replying to this email.)

Stay tuned for my thoughts on Alaska’s signature domestic first class. In many ways, it might just be the best recliner experience in the country.

In the meantime, there’s a ton going on. Read on for everything you need to know.

Alaska Airlines is making a massive bet.

The airline just ordered 110 new airplanes, which represents its largest order ever. The carrier will add 105 Boeing 737 MAX 10s and five new 787-10 Dreamliners. It also has options for 35 additional MAX 10 jets.

Alaska — the airline that’s long said it’s “proudly all Boeing” — will keep its Pacific Northwest neighbor busy for years to come.

The new planes won’t start flying until 2030 at the earliest, but Alaska seemingly doesn’t want to be stuck waiting at the back of the line for new airplanes.

Airlines can’t simply visit the dealership and walk out with a new plane (and a stack of papers longer than a CVS receipt) a few hours later.

So Alaska needs to make the big bet now to avoid aircraft delivery slots filling up with competitor airline orders.

There’s still a lot we don’t know, like the cabin configuration (I’m hoping for lie-flat seats on some of those MAX 10s), the deployment strategy, and which planes will be retired when the new ones come.

But if there’s one thing that’s clear: Alaska is definitely serious when it says it’s turning Seattle into a major global hub (and keeping the Hawaiian brand alive, too).

American Airlines just went from worst to first when it comes to inflight Wi-Fi.

The airline just flipped the switch on free Wi-Fi across its entire domestic mainline fleet and most of its regional jets. All you need is an AAdvantage account (and maybe some patience to watch an ad) to enjoy free internet.

But, there’s always a catch: the airline’s twin-aisle planes won’t get free Wi-Fi until the spring.

And even then, only a subset of Boeing 787s will offer free internet. (On Boeing 777s and older 787s, you’ll still need to pay $35 for Wi-Fi.)

Nevertheless, American now has more free Wi-Fi-enabled planes than any other airline — and that’s certainly commendable.

On yesterday’s flight, I tried charging my devices, but the charger kept falling out of the loose outlet.

Fortunately, I pack an international travel adapter on every single flight — even domestic ones.

The European pins fit the outlet like a glove, and I was able to keep working without interruption.

If you’re not packing one on every trip, you’re doing it wrong. I recommend these two from Epicka and Anker.

I’ve been spending the past few days plotting my elite status plans for the year.

The good news is American just announced that it will join its Big 3 rivals in keeping status thresholds the same for next year.

I’m definitely going to go for top-tier United and Hyatt status once again. I have Marriott and Hilton status from cobranded credit cards, but I’m still torn on what to do with American.

I like having some level of status with American (especially now that my family checks bags), but I’m not sure I need to go for Executive Platinum. After all, I haven’t been getting upgrades as frequently, and American’s network from New York isn’t as good as Delta's or United's.

These days, I firmly believe the best perks of status are the “softer” ones, like priority call handling and faster rebooking during delays.

With so many elites competing for upgrades and extra-legroom seats, I’d prepare to sit in the back if you don’t pay for the fancy recliners.

Speaking of status, one of the perks I earn each year with Hyatt is a free night certificate at Category 1-7 hotels.

I let mine expire because I didn’t have an immediate use for it. In the past, I’ve been able to call to have these expired certificates converted to 20,000 points (which feels fair to me).

Yesterday, I called Hyatt and was only offered 5,000 points for my certificate. I generally find World of Hyatt to be among the most generous loyalty programs, but perhaps things are changing.

I could’ve transferred my award to someone else before it expired, but no one in my immediate family was traveling soon, and I wasn’t about to sell it on eBay (and risk my account being closed).

Lesson learned for next year.