Alaska Airlines is one of the most punctual airlines in the United States; despite this, delays happen, and when they do I must admit I LOVE how Alaska Airlines handles them. The airline tends to be very forthcoming and honest about the delay and keeps passengers updated with actually estimated times of departure verse falsified times and just moving the flight time up every 30 minutes. Alaska Airlines uses true estimates verse computerized estimates and informs passengers early and then does everything in their power to make up for the delay. On top of that, Alaska Airline realizes that time is money and their compensation for delays is fantastic!
On a recent trip from Houston to Seattle, my friends flight was delayed due to crew reasonings. Forwhatever reason, a crew member was stuck in San Antiono and needed to get to Houston to work the flight from IAH to Seattle. As IAH is not a base for Alaska, the airline does not have extra crew members on reserves if something goes wrong. Nearly 15 hours before departure Alaska sent an email and a text informing him that the flight was going to be delayed 90 minutes and that the new departure time was the confirmed departure time. Meaning he could sleep in and not worry about the time being reinstated as 6am.
In the morning, my friend arrived at the airport in Houston, and sure enough the departure time was further delayed. During this time Alaska Airlines emailed and texted passengers, along with making gate announcements with the new ETD. It turns out, the crew member was stuck in San Antonio as the United Express jet was now delayed leaving SAT. Coincidence, or United’s sick punishment on Alaska Airlines for invading their base with a newly lunched 2nd daily flight?! 😉
The flight attendant who was delayed finally arrived and the ground staff boarded the plane as quickly as possible, but due to the delay of the crew member, the plane didn’t leave until 9am local time.
Mid-flight, Alaska Airlines took it upon themselves to write an apology letter and provide my friend with a $75 travel voucher due to the delay! It was a fantastic surprise for him, a traveler with no status whose first flight ever on Alaska was Delayed 2 hours and 50 minutes!
I am fortunate to have never had an Alaska Airline flight delayed by more than 30 minutes, but its amazing to me to know that Alaska Airlines values my time and watches out or their customers and then even tries to make up for being delayed!! I wish other airlines could run with this business model! Great Job Alaska! and this is why I continue to say #iFlyAlaska
