These Alaska Airlines Passengers Got to See Planes Refuel in Midair

Talk about awesome plane spotting.  Passengers on an Alaska Airlines flight from Anchorage to Seattle looked out the window and saw the US Navy Blue Angels refueling in midair.

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From King 5 (a Washington NBC affiliate):

Some passengers and crew on an Alaska Airlines flight had a front row seat as the Blue Angels refueled mid-flight on their way to Seattle on Monday.

The captain and first officer on Alaska flight 80 got special permission from air traffic controllers. They were allowed to change altitude to 28,000 feet near Yakutat so passengers could see the refueling.

That’s pretty amazing.

Here’s a video of the footage:

The Blue Angels is a squadron that does flight demonstrations.  They fly the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet in over 70 shows a year.

This group was on their way to the Seafair festival in Seattle.

Here is a video of their arrival to the event:

And here is a video from last year’s performance:

I’m pretty jealous of everyone on this flight!  It’s a little different from the usual pilot commentary to point out the landmarks below.

If you look to your left, folks, you’ll see an aviation marvel–refueling in midair!  

The Blue Angels will be performing this weekend at Seafair:

• Thursday, Aug. 4 from 9:45 a.m.-noon and 1:15-2:40 p.m. (practice)

• Friday, Aug. 5 from 1:15-2:40 p.m. (practice)

•Saturday, Aug. 6 from 1:15-2:40 p.m. (full show)

• Sunday, Aug. 7 from 1:15-2:40 p.m. (full show)

About Jeanne Marie Hoffman

Former bartender, still a geek. One equal part each cookies, liberty, football, music, travel, libations. Stir vigorously. +Jeanne Marie Hoffman Jeanne on Twitter

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