Subject: Formal Complaint – Incompetent Service and Denied Boarding on Flight 1409 (CLSVJM – Dear Alaska Airlines Customer Relations, I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding my experience on Flight 1409 departing from Seattle on 6/13/26. As a physician and business owner who frequently coordinates group travel, this was one of the worst airline experiences I have encountered. Upon arrival, I was informed that my check-in boarding pass was not official, despite successfully obtaining it electronically through your website/app with no warnings or indications of issues. My electronic boarding pass was rejected, leading to cancellation/denial of boarding. The gate agent (an older woman) was unhelpful, claimed my name had been announced multiple times (which it had not—she did not even know my name correctly), and mistakenly boarded my traveling companion under my name. Additionally, an older blonde staff member nearly failed to return my passport, highlighting a clear lack of training on your check-in and boarding systems. This chaos forced me onto a later flight while my group waited in Canada, unable to check into our Airbnb or pick up rental cars (as I was the primary booker). The entire incident caused significant business disruption, stress, and additional expenses. I have flown Alaska Airlines previously but will not consider it again without resolution. I request: • Full reimbursement of any additional costs incurred. • Appropriate compensation (vouchers/miles) for the inconvenience and poor service. • Confirmation of corrective actions for Please respond within 7-10 business days. Sincerely, Dr. Chunwen Teng
Never had so many staff members be rude and disrespectful. I had a staff member sarcastically call me “girly” after making me wait 20 minutes to be seen by her. I was able to print my luggage tag and she told me I was too late to check luggage I said the system obviously disagrees. And you had me wait way too long while you asked every single passenger ahead of me about their Disney vacations. She wasted so much time to then say “girly your bag won’t make it on the plane” I’m not her girly I’m a full grown adult. She needs to learn a hell of a lot of respect
My flight was several times rescheduled and then finally canceled.
The flight itself was great. But we had to wait over an hour to deplane so I missed my train. Not the crews fault. They were wonderful!
Flying into PAE was so easy because it’s baggage claim is quick and accesible. I had a car rental and the counter is inside the baggage claim area, very convenient.
It was a very short flight so there really wasn’t any entertainment my. The little pretzels were good though and the cabin crew was awesome.
The first flight was fine, great crew, but the plane was delayed 45 minutes to go to Seattle because of they were missing a ramp. That would make sense if the plane was actually at the gate. Not if we’re still waiting for a plane. After we landed we waited 30-45 minutes on the tarmac just to get off the plane. Alaska made me miss my connecting flight, wasting my time, and my money. I should honestly be reimbursed, but hey, when does the airline ever actually take accountability? Never.
Over all it was great. My original flight was canceled but they quickly rebooked me. I was frustrated because I had to cancel my entire plans for the day but all considered, not bad. The crew tried to keep us calm while we sat in the plane for was felt was an hour or so but they could use a bit of a script. The seats were comfortable and I would give it another try.
Flight delayed Didn’t send second leg of trip itemerary First class was fair, but not great.
Short trip, was nice to have a drink on the short flight still.
Fabulous if you have a portable wheelchair. They can store it in the galley and you can just walk out with it. Really nice and the flat seats are just incredible, very nice. iPads for movies, also pretty nice,
No charging outlets worked. Other than collecting trash attendants didn’t come around. No one could hear flight attendants announcements during the flight. Seat pads were horrible. Sitting on a board for 5 hours. What happened to Hawaiian airlines comfort, hospitality, and extras? Our pilots did an excellent job trying to minimize turbulence and incredible job in landing in windy conditions.
I like that if they asked you to checked in a bag at the gate they give you priority to board
I received several emails about my 3:10 flight. When I showed up to the airport at 12:30 to check my bags I was told the flight was actually at 1 pm. They grudgingly rebooked me for a flight at 5:22 to Vegas to get a connecting to LAX. I did find the gate for my original 3:10 flight but they were booked. I proceeded to receive status updates and gate change information for the 3:10 flight, even though I was apparently never supposed to be on that flight
The food options were limited and very specific. Some type of entertainment option for a 4.5 hour flight would have been nice.
The Kayak confirmation number did not work for checking in the day before. I checked in at 8.30 using my ticket number. When I arrived at the airport, I was informed that the flight was overbooked, and since I had checked in late, I did not have a seat. The Next flight was not until ten PM. I called my wife, who had been taking care of our kids all weekend, and she was upset, calling me a liar and telling me to stay in SD. It turned my weekend getaway into a nightmare! I blame the Kayak website and will not book flights using your app in the future.
comfortable but the food is horrible. I have flown Hawaiian several times now and no matter what they say the food is its the same squashed bread with melted goop inside. Tastes fake and isnt what they represent, its quite nasty. What happend to real food? And there is NO entertainment!! so not sure why they are asking for a review on that.
Good and friendly staff. Nicely enjoyed the complimentary drink and snack.
I was very, very cold and a stranger loaned me her sweater next to me. I didn’t wanna buy a blanket just for a four hour trip when I did not need the pillow or the earphones. I don’t mind purchasing a blanket, but I only needed that not all of it accessories. Cold air pretty much blew the entire trip. Two people in front of me both bought the blanket packages. Maybe that’s the idea. The crew was exceptionally nice and passed through multiple times.. the restrooms were very clean and usually accessible.
3 hour wait on customer service after flight was cancelled. Was bumped to a flight where I wouldnt have gotten to my destination for another 2 days. Had to fully refund flight and book a new one the following morning. Paid twice the amount for the flight than I had originally booked. Very disappointed I was not offered any sort of discount or points for all of the frustration, in fact the airline profited twice as much off of me by cancelling my flight and and changing my entire trip.
Airline tickets are not cheap. You expect reliable competent service. Thanks to canceled flights and botched transfers we arrived at our destination two days late. This is not acceptable
Over 2.5 hour maintenance delay on first morning flight with no acknowledgement, compensation or even gesture of good will. Aircraft had overnighted at airport so issue should have been addressed prior to boarding. Over 3.5 hours before first slow and deliberate beverage service.
Flights were on time actually early service was good and crew cheerful
No meal service to the back of the plane as it started late or was too slow to get it out before it was time to land.
Experience was great - no complaints. Took off on time, landed early. Got to the gate relatively quickly - took a little bit of extra time to deplane but nothing excessive.
OK, we were delayed and had to de plane and reboard.
Both my flight where delayed Had 25min to make it to my transfer flight
Wifi Bluetooth features for watching in flight movie was horrible. Screen kept blacking out no connection of sound although it said connected. Other than that smooth trip .
There was no WiFi available, there were mechanical problems with the plane and we landed at C 124, then the gate was switched to A 26, then all the way back to C126! For a 75 yo woman traveling alone, this was a difficult journey, indeed!
2+ hours delayed Outlet in row 12 did not work Tv monitors did not work Lights kept off the entire flight for at 5pm-7pm flight
Agency very bad had to cancelled my booking too many changes in the flight changed my flight to 1 week
Flight was delayed 5 hours. Initial reason for delay was 'maintenance' - which makes sense. Then, the additional 2 hours continued to say it was maintenance - when I know EWR had a 2 hour delay. AA did not say that. Additionally, when boarding, there was only one agent at the counter for a long time - until another came to help. After boarding, we had to wait another 45 minutes due to 'no catering'. So while we waited for catering, AA continued to board additional passengers - which seemed odd - and raised questions about what really was going on. I sat in First Class. During the flight, the flight crew allowed a significant number of non-First Class passengers to use the front bathroom - which created a very crowded environment in First Class which was uncomfortable. This also delayed First Class passengers from using the bathroom. Overall, horrible experience.
The gate experience at LAX was abysmal (same for the arrival experience two days prior). Despite the LAX -> SAT schedule of two flights daily, our departure gate was at a smaller hub that we had to be bussed to from Terminal 4. Fortunately, I arrived at LAX extra early and had time to spare, but if I had not known, I might have missed my flight. I looked at the LAX airport map in the AA app and there was no indication of the additional boarding process. Lastly the gate area we were bussed to was crowded with limited food and beverage options. On flight, the fight attendant was hospitable and attentive, the flight was smooth, and AA's free (and working) wifi for AA members were all on the positive side.
Our flight from JFK to Madrid was delayed. We had to go from one side of the Madrid airport (Terminal 4s to the far end of terminal 4 - Gate K98) to our gate in less than 30 minutes. Put passport control and security/baggage check and that’s very hard unless you’re Usain Bolt. I called Iberia Airlines and the telephone customer service told me that I was going to have to pay to re-book. Luckily the help desk in the airport (who was dealing with dozens of people from the same JFK-Madrid flight) did not charge us extra to reschedule to a flight 8 hours later. They also gave us a voucher for breakfast and lunch. Glad the actual person at the airport had some actual sense.
Take-off delayed an hour because of a missing flight officer, so,arrived in Charlotte lates causing many passengers to miss connections. Otherwise a very good flight, safe and comfortable, with an excellent professional crew.
The flight from LA to Chicago was smooth and service was very good overall.
Ontario airport boarding was very easy to park and access, is clean and TSA took 10 minutes total. Check-in was a breeze and cruise was very nice.
Left early arrived early..right amount of talking from pilots..of course had to love the biscuit and water!
Boarding gate at LAX was too crowded—two gates next to one another
On time departure and early arrival. Flight attendant very nice.
The aircraft was fine, it’s was just the service. The flight got canceled several times and that was very inconvenient for my 69 years old mom.
My checked in luggage cost was $59, almost ticket price. The first 13 rows were empty, but fly attendant did not alow women with little boy change her middle sit, sweet boy was crying, I am so sorry for mother and passengers. At the end of the flight the cabin became impossible cold. Only good was timing of departure and early landing, but it suppose to be normal.
I tried to book a flight with Jet Blue. Your third party company hijacked my attempt with a website that looked like I was booking with Jet Blue. I realized it when I paid. I tried to cancel and was told by a man in India that there were no refunds. $735 stolen, Thanks Kayak!
It was inexplicably canceled and we are stuck in LA, haven't gotten home and it has been an inconvenience having lost work (on unpaid leave for my husband).
JetBlue worker, Blythe, was so amazing at the DCA counter. If it wasn’t for her, I’m not sure we would’ve made it through. Please thank her!
They lost my luggage and refuse to help. Terrible airline. I've never experienced worse customer service in my life. Pretty much just told me too bad that I lost all my luggage, not caring that I am stuck in Europe for 2 weeks with absolutely nothing.
You should have had Wifi to make it much enjoyable.
The flight out was delayed from 3:40pm to 5pm and again to 8pm. We boarded after 5pm, had to disembark because they could not get the Engine started, then we switched gates and got a new plane and did not board until after 8pm.
The flight was delayed after already taxiing from the gate due to a malfunction. After 3 hours we were told the flight was canceled. The next flight available was Sunday. My daughter and I stayed overnight in the airport due to this issue. I was given a $12 meal voucher. Unacceptable
Whole experience was poor. Delayed 2 hours. Lied about the delays. Was all jet blues fault and tried to blame on air traffic control. Sent out other let trips and wouldn't allow people to switch aircraft.