It’s been two years since the Transportation Security Administration declared that the PreCheck airport security fast lanes — no removing shoes, no taking your laptop out of your bag — is only for paying customers. Now Alaska Airlines is letting its frequent fliers use their airline miles to pay the PreCheck membership fee.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines, Feds, & Apple Investigating After iPhone 6 Catches Fire Midair
By 3.21.16
Last week, a Delta Air Lines flight was delayed after an e-cigarette ignited itself in a passengers’ carry-on bag. Days later, an Alaska Airlines flight experienced a similarly explosive situation when the iPhone 6 of one traveler allegedly burst into flames midair. [More]
Alaska Airlines Gives Passengers $100 Credit After Flight Disrupted By Drunk Traveler
By 3.16.16
When a flight is diverted to deal with a disruptive passenger, those left on the plane often receive little, if anything, in the way of compensation for the delay. But travelers on a recently interrupted Alaska Airlines flight received a financial apology from the airline. [More]
U.S. Airlines Competing To Nab One Of 20 New Scheduled Routes To Havana
By 3.3.16
Now that the United States and Cuba have decided to let bygones be bygones and relations are thawing between the two countries, more Americans will soon have the chance to visit the nearby island nation by air. There will be 110 new scheduled routes to Cuba, with 20 of those flying daily to the country’s capital of Havana, and major U.S. airlines are stepping up to the plate to bid for the first regularly scheduled, non-charter flights. [More]
Traveler Complaints About Airlines Increased Nearly 30% Last Year
By 2.19.16
While airlines might not be leaping at the chance to tell customers how to file complaints about their service, that hasn’t stopped more travelers from sharing their tales of woe with the Department of Transportation. In fact, the number of complaints filed by beleaguered passengers increased by nearly 30% last year. [More]
Alaska Airlines Flight Diverted After Unruly Passenger Allegedly Threatened Crew
By 2.10.16
An Alaska Airlines flight headed to Boston from San Diego last night had to make an unscheduled stop midway through the trip, when a drunk passenger allegedly became abusive and threatened the crew, the airline said. [More]
Alaska Airlines Apologizes After “Meet Our Eskimo” Branding Effort Offends
By 1.29.16
When you’ve gone and repainted your planes with a new logo, we can understand the desire to show it off to everyone. But maybe consider running your new ad slogan by a few people before it goes public.
[More]
Alaska Airlines Joining Premium Ticketing Bandwagon In 2016
By 12.4.15
Following the lead of other domestic carriers, Alaska Airlines will soon offer passengers a premium economy ticket option. The Premium Class section will debut in late 2016 and provide customers three to four inches of extra legroom, priority boarding and as yet unspecified “additional amenities.” The upgrade will be available to Alaska Airlines elite Mileage Plan members on a complimentary basis at booking or on the day of travel, but it was unclear how much the option will cost for other passengers. [Alaska Airlines] [More]
Lawmaker Questions Airlines, Plane Manufacturers On Cybersecurity Measures
By 12.2.15
Eight months after a government report found that airplanes with WiFi connections may be vulnerable to cyber attacks and seven months after a hacker claimed to have commandeered a United Airlines flight via the plane’s in-flight entertainment system, one lawmaker wants to know just what airlines are doing to protect their computer systems — and passengers. [More]
Alaska Airlines Suffers Technical Glitch, Delays Nearly Two Dozen Flights
By 10.29.15
UPDATE: Alaska Airlines says the computer issue that delayed about 20 flights late Wednesday and early Thursday has been resolved. All of the carrier’s flights are back to normal and no residual delays are expected. [More]
Alaska Airlines Makes Emergency Landing After Credit Card Reader Ignites In The Trash
By 10.12.15
An Alaska Airlines flight heading from Newark, NJ to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing on Monday morning, after the plane reported smoke on board. Oddly enough, the incident was reportedly sparked when a credit card reader that had been thrown in the trash somehow ignited. [More]
New “Space Bins” Increase Aircraft Carry-On Capacity By 48%
By 10.9.15
Earlier this year, airline groups proposed a plan that would have required airlines to adopt a smaller carry-on bag standard. That idea was eventually scrapped, and that’s probably a good thing considering airlines are now looking to add roomier overhead storage bins through cabin upgrades. [More]
Even Airline CEOs Aren’t Immune To Carriers Losing Their Bags
By 10.5.15
When talking about the airline you run, it probably isn’t the best idea to start out by recounting how said carrier misplaced your bags on your latest flight. Unless, maybe, you’re trying to seem relatable and let consumers know that accidents happen. But even then, it can’t be anything less than embarrassing. [More]
NASA Creates App Aimed At Shortening Commercial Flights, Saving Fuel
By 9.23.15
There’s an app for just about everything. And that now includes one created by NASA and aimed at helping commercial airlines shorten flight times and conserve fuel. [More]
Airlines Testing New Software To Avoid Extreme Turbulence, Cut Down On Costs And Injuries
By 7.15.15
I’ll be the first to admit it, I’m a terrible flyer — the slightest hint of a bumpy patch and I’ve got a death-grip on the arm rest. While pilots do everything they can to avoid hitting any kind of rough air, they’ll be getting a bit more help via new software designed for the sole purpose of allowing them to sidestep turbulence. [More]
All Major U.S. Airlines Offer Free Cancellations Within 24 Hours, Except One
By 6.29.15
Update: In March 2016, American announced that it was phasing out the hold option and transitioning to the 24-hour cancellation window option.
Even the most prepared traveler occasionally has to change their itinerary for unforeseen circumstances. While dealing with airlines to make a simple change can be both a test of your patience and a drain on your bank account, if you catch the issue soon enough you might save hundreds of dollars in change fees. That’s thanks, in part, to Department of Transportation rules that allow a ticket to be held at the same price for 24 hours before purchase or canceled within 24 hours after purchase — most of the time. [More]
Four Alaska Airlines Crew Members Sue Boeing Over Toxic Fumes That Leaked During 2013 Flight
By 6.24.15
We imagine that working as a flight attendant can be a difficult job: serving hundreds of passengers each flight, traipsing from one city to another, and ensuring that the cabin of the aircraft is equipped and prepared for all situations. One thing these crew members shouldn’t have to worry about: working in an environment with toxic fumes. But that’s apparently what happened during an Alaska Airlines flight in 2013, and now four flight attendants are suing Boeing Co. [More]
Alaska Airlines Flight Forced To Make Emergency Landing After Employee Fell Asleep In Cargo Hold
By 4.14.15
In the last year, a number of people have attempted – sometimes successfully – to stow away in different areas of airplanes to catch a free ride. On Monday, a ramp agent for Alaska Airlines inadvertently became a stowaway when he fell asleep in the plane’s cargo hold, causing the plane to initiate an emergency landing after just 14 minutes in the air. [More]
