Each week, my Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago. This week’s...
Miniature Horses Are Welcome On Alaska Airlines, Possums Are Not
Alaska Airlines’ updated onboard animal policy has entered into effect and the list of approved animals has been substantially narrowed down. Your dog and cat are still welcome as service animals. So is your miniature horse. That’s it. Miniature...
Alaska Airlines Cuts Pre-Flight Alcohol in First Class…For Now
If you want to enjoy an alcoholic beverage before your flight, it may be best to avoid Alaska Airlines. At least for now. In fact, complimentary alcohol has been missing since August 01st. Spokeswoman Ann Johnson told USA Today this...
Let’s Give Alaska Airlines The Benefit Of The Doubt
Alaska Airlines has taken a lot of heat this week over an allegation that it deliberately separated a gay couple onboard a New York to Los Angeles flight so a straight couple could sit together. But I’m ready to...
Sun Country Airlines Challenges Alaska Airlines in Portland
Sun Country Airlines is continuing its expansion beyond Minneapolis with service from Portland, Oregon to five new cities, including Honolulu. If Portland sounds far from Minneapolis, it is…1,426 miles to be exact. But the “new” Sun Country is looking...
Alaska Airlines Is Ditching What Made It Special
Alaska Airlines is praised for its customer-friendly policies and lack of nickel and diming. But that unique position continues to erode. Starting on June 05, 2018, Alaska Airlines will make three major fee changes. 1. 24-hour free change/cancellation policy...
Let’s Give Alaska Airlines Credit for Listening
Yesterday I was rather blunt in saying that I had lost my trust in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program. But after partially rolling back its latest no-notice devaluation, I’m happy to shower Alaska Airlines with praise. First, Alaska...
Latest Alaska Devaluation Was Bizarre Overreaction
Have you ever heard the old adage, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater?” That’s what Alaska Airlines just did in its latest Mileage Plan devaluation. Alaska Airlines now blocks partner redemptions on Cathay Pacific and JAL within...
Prosecutors Allege Alaska Airlines Pilot Flew Drunk for 20 Years
A former Alaska Airlines pilot will plead guilty and serve one year in prison for flying a plane while under the influence of alcohol. But prosecutors paint a grim picture of what could have happened. David Hans Arntson, 62, flew...
Disgusting: FAs Indifferent to Sexual Harassment on Alaska Airlines
The recent wave of sexual harassment allegations is transforming the U.S. landscape and emboldening more every day to come forward with their stories. But such treatment, generally against women, persists…and some practices die hard. Like on Alaska Airlines… I...
Alaska Airlines, Sun Country Cancel Cuba Service
When commercial airline service resumed between the United States and Cuba last year, many carriers saw gold in this untapped market. But a year later, many carriers have discovered that Cuba is more fool’s gold than a lucrative new...
Blame Alaska Airlines for Latest Singapore Devaluation?
Alaska Airlines and Singapore Airlines (SIA) are now partners. Is it just a coincidence that Singapore devalued earnings on United Airlines flights…without notice? I give the Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer loyalty program a mixed review. If you want to fly...
Why I’m Not Excited About Alaska Airlines’ Partnership with Singapore Airlines
Alaska Airlines already partners with members of both SkyTeam and oneworld. Starting next month, the airline will partner with its first Star Alliance carrier: Singapore Airlines. But don’t get your hopes up about an incredible redemption in Singapore’s new...
Condor Partnership = Lufthansa Miles on Alaska?
Alaska Airlines and Condor, a German budget/leisure airline, have partnered: you can now earn Alaska miles when flying on Condor. But what about the other way around? Condor used to be partially owned by Lufthansa. Being a German airline...
Alaska Airlines Will Bury More Than Virgin America Brand
Alaska Airlines will retire the Virgin America brand by 2019. The news is hardly surprising considering the royalties involved in using Sir Richard Branson’s trademark brand, but Alaska will do much more than repaint aircraft. Changes Coming to Alaska Airlines In...
Another Stealth Alaska Devaluation
Last year, Alaska Airlines massively devalued Emirates award redemptions without notice. While the latest cut is not as draconian, it still represents a fundamental problem with Alaska: the airline cannot be trusted to give advance notice of program changes....
Woman Thrown Off Alaska Flight After Anti-Trump Rant
First a pro-Trump voter before the election, now an anti-Trump voter after. A woman was thrown off an Alaska Airlines flight from Baltimore to Seattle on Saturday after berating a Trump supporter in a conversation she initiated. As I witnessed,...
Alaska Airlines Blames "Travel Hacking" for Emirates Devaluation
Alaska Airlines has taken a ton of heat today for its decision to raise prices for business and first class tickets on Emirates by as much as 100%. Now it is defending itself on its blog, claiming that its...
Emirates First Class Awards on Alaska DOUBLE in Price
Overnight and without notice, Alaska has massively devalued first class award cost on Emirates. This is unbelievable for an airline that has a such a good reputation. The award charts are not even fully updated yet (Emirates to Europe...
Alaska Airlines Brand Refresh
For the first time in a quarter century, Alaska Airlines is refreshing its brand image in a major way, with changes coming to everything from credit cards to aircraft livery. Why the change now? Isn’t one of Alaska’s best...
