Alaska Airlines

Had reservations for the family to go on spring break to California from Seattle. Not any more. Because of a computer failure all their flights were cancelled during the time period that my flight was to leave. Of course none of this was announced anywhere even on their website which I checked before we left for the airport. Got to the airport and walked into the ticketing area and huge lines of people everywhere all for Alaska Airlines. After two hours in line a customer service agent came by down the line and told everyone who had tickets for this morning that "you might as well go home". She said that all the other airlines were full that it would be 4 to 5 days before people could be rescheduled for their destinations. She did say that "Alaska Air would waive their normal rescheduling fee" That was it. No other explanation. If Alaska Airlines wants to pretend they are a big airline they need to quit treating their customers like dirt. What kind of company does not have a back up to their main operating system. The news said that they were updating their system. What company would run an update during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. Now I get to spend my time trying to get refunds from hotels cars and Disney Land.

Going on a flight from Vancouver BC to Los Angeles on Alaskan/Delta air and found out that a checked on bag will cost about $25 each way (there are 4 of us $200 extra) but if I went to Mexico checked bag would be free. Alaska and Delta both stated that was because Mexico is an international destination but the US is not. Really? US Canada and Mexico are on the same continent but how can the airlines say that the US is not international travel from Canada or visa versa? We must depart from the international terminal we need a passport we have to go through customs we can buy duty free products.

SEA-LAS. One of the very few direct flights to Las Vegas from Seattle so choice is very limited. I ask for very little on a short haul flight. There was a free soft drink and the usual packet of indescribable pretzels. Decent seat size and overall a clean aircraft. Landing at McCaron improves any flight as it is one of the best domestic airports I have ever been to. Functional though unspectacular.

Kona-Oakland First Class. A very comfortable flight despite the conditions at Kona International (no loungeno wifi etc). B737-800) is adequate for the 5 hour flight. Great flight attendants good food and drink fairly comfortable seat and decent entertainment via a Digiplayer.

LAX-MEX-LAX January 2011. I had not flown on Alaska in quite a few years. This airline is in my opinion better than the average US carrier. B737-800 was clean newish and with pleasant staff warm snack. No baggage fee! Overall I would recommend Alaska Airlines.

OGG-PDX-LAX and OGG-SEA return. We live on Maui and use both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines to travel. This is a new market for Alaska and we hope they continue to improve their service. These flights were okay - standard mainland business class. Food was average. Service was good and attentive. What is lacking is a seat with better pitch foot rests and pillows or blankets. Hawaiian Airlines give you a seat with about 140 degree recline leg and foot rests and pillows and blankets. Both airlines are attentive to needs but Hawaiian has the edge with unsolicited water drinks etc. Costwise Alaska charges about $300 less than Hawaiian. For the money and the additional comfort I want Hawaiian is the better deal. But keep trying Alaska.

First class from Atlanta to Seattle. The service was attentive and friendly. The meal on Alaska was beautifully presented flavorful and nourishing.

Returned on Alaska Airlines from Kauai HI. We had barely left the ground and it was announced "no fresh fruit" - yesterday's only. Then midway through the flight we heard "the system is out of water. There will be no more water to drink and please try not to use the toilets unless necessary - who goes into an airline bathroom unless it is necessary? I am only guessing but I think that if there was no time to get fresh fruit on board or enough water to last the flight perhaps the preventive maintenance wasn't done either. No apologies for lack of supplies and of course no coupon for future use.

LAX-PDX roundtrip. Service on this trip was better than the last few times I've flown this airline - in other words it went from dreadful to mediocre. Flights were on time and the interior was comfortable enough but inflight service was perfunctory and cold. At least this time I was spared the flight delays dirty cabins mishandled baggage and pitiful customer service I've come to expect of Alaska Airlines.

ANC-SEA-SFO-PDX-ANC. Most legs of this multiple leg round trip were relatively uneventful. The nickel and diming poor gate announcements surprise gate changes in SEA etc. have all become expected of Alaska Air. What is unacceptable is how unbelievably uncomfortable and filthy the cabins now are. Alaska has no excuse they're not short on cash. As for discomfort it is unacceptable to fail to pay close attention to climate control on a packed airplane. Usually you're freezing. PDX-ANC leg averaged about 84 degrees for the entire flight. Baggage claim continues to be a joke. Alaska claims to have a compensation program if your bags take more than 20 minutes to arrive. They must know nobody is going to stick around to make a claim for now-worthless Alaska Air frequent flier miles.