Apologize for cross-post from AS forum, but need more exposure and opinions on upcoming medical travel - Alaska-WAS (prefer BWI, but AS SEA-DCA is a favorite due to schedule and MVPG status. Complicated situation.

JNU-BWI or DCA 12/10 - or 12/11 departure
13 y.o. son having major hip reconstruction surgery on Dec 14.
Will be able to return to JNU on Dec 22.
Have traveled many, many times post-surgery in various kinds of casts, fixators, etc. (16 operations in the past 11 years, most of them in Baltimore - he's fine, just needs his leg rebuilt).
He was MVPG at four years old, 48 hr RT JNU-DCA every 2 weeks for rechecks during limb-lengthening.

But, we've never traveled post-surgery during Christmas holidays.
Last year DCA-JNU day before Thanksgiving after knee reconstruction was not good. AS uncharacteristically poor service in all aspects - rebooking, in-terminal, onboard (e.g. on SEA-SIT-JUN load was not full, yet would NOT reassign seats to allow open middle seat for elevation of operated leg. Flight attendants downright SNARLY) - only TSA, of all entities - was kind and helpful!

So i seek advice on three issues:
1) BWI-JNU on Dec 22 or avoiding the crowds by traveling on Christmas Day -
2) BWI on Delta, or DCA's nice AS connections?
3) partner Delta mileage tickets, AS mileage tickets, use companion fare on AS, or just buy the best fare Kayak offers?

Even your experiences traveling 12/22 vs 12/25 would be helpful!

Thanks - It's enough to deal with an unexpected major surgery - adding 3400 miles each way during Christmas given past AS Holiday traveling just a leg brace and crutches pushes me to the top of the precipice....