Philadelphia Mayor, Michael A. Nutter along with other VIPs welcomed the first flight from Alaska to the City of Brotherly Love after it arrived at Philadelphia International Airport at about 5 p.m. Monday night. 

According to PR Newswire, Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing: "We're delighted to offer travelers a convenient nonstop flight between Seattle and thriving, historic Philadelphia. Our new flights continue a steady expansion for Alaska Airlines, which now serves 16 destinations along the East Coast, across the Midwest and in the Southeast."

"We welcome Alaska Airlines to our airport family, and we are confident that our customers will embrace their unique brand of service," Philadelphia International Airport CEO Mark Gale said in a PR Newswire report. "The travel industry has recognized Alaska for its excellence in many areas, and we are excited that this award-winning airline is now serving Philadelphia."

The flights now operate with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with a capacity of 16 passengers in first class and 141 in the main cabin. All flights have Alaska's Northern Bites meal service on board, which offer passengers in the main cabin a hot meal for $6 or a cheese and fruit platter for $7. 

The flights also boast of Alaska's in-flight entertainment system, a handheld video-on-demand device featuring more than 70 popular movies, along with television programs and other entertainment. 
The in-flight entertainment players are complimentary for those traveling in first class and are available for passengers at $10 in the main cabin.