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
A solidly good experience, but would’ve appreciated more communication with regards to travel delays.
The flight 2161 was cancelled after repeated delays; for some reason the crew and not the tower located in Billings, Montana made the call. A cancelled flight is not a big deal, it happens. It was very disappointing that upon cancelling the flight it was a free for all to get to the counter for rebooking. Priority seating and first class ticket holders should have been giving priority to get on the next available flight. Most would agree that the process of moving states away, w/a cat, is stressful. A cancelled flight, 90 minutes to rebook, no place to stay, medication that was to be refrigerated and trying to find a local pet friendly hotel significantly added to the stress. Had I been able to rebook (per priority boarding SOP) I could have called the place I had just checked out of as my room most likely was just as I'd left it, including with pet supplies (which also had to be repurchased). While waiting to rebook, many of us called Alaska Airlines 800 number hoping to get a new flight; the waiting time -- this is not a joke -- was eight (8) hours, which dropped to "just" two (2) hours about 45-minutes later. Due to the cancellation I had to spend $268.75 and I still have not been refunded for the change in ticket (first class to regular). Each time I've call, five times now, the wait time was absurd, or a message of call back is given. Hopefully visiting the airport and talking with an agent face to face will be the final chapter to this experience. Alaska has been my go to air travel for years, hopefully this trip was just a hiccup. A system that forces customer's to spend hours of their time (money) to get a just due refund is not a working system. I suggest Alaska Airlines hire more representatives to handle calls; time is more valuable than money, spending 90 minutes to rebook a flight, without the difference being automatic is absurd. There are things called computers, they do amazing things. Once the flight was cancelled, only three agents were working to rebook the PAX, This too was unacceptable. First class ticket holders pay for first-class service, this should include rebooking on flights that are cancelled. I recall a time when flights were cancelled the airline would offer a hotel should the next flight not be until the following day? I had no idea that was no longer SOP; many could return home, several of us could not. The agents were pleasant once the PAX had their turn to rebook, this was true down in baggage area as well. The flight out the next day was also what I'd come to find of Alaska Airlines.
The plane not having any overhead bin space was inconvenient. Anytime my luggage has to be checked it ends up covered in scratches and that’s not covered by the airlines for replacement/repair. The WiFi did not work or was not offered for the flight from Seattle to Vancouver.
The seats were not very comfortable and there were no TV screens. Boarding was pretty fast because there were so few people on such a small plane and I appreciated that they still gave us our snack and drinks, however I really wish they would come up with a good gluten-free snack.
Wheelchair assistance was provided in Seattle and was very gratefully accepted. Thank you to the Alaska staff.
Food and entertainment aren’t a thing on these regional flights. But it was a smooth flight. Could see gorgeous countryside through the large windows. The earplugs are a nice touch for the prop engines but the hum of the engines did not bother me. Grateful the option exists to easily get from A to B.
Everything was really good except it was really cold in the plane,
The cold air vent in our seat isle had a leak in the overhead panel (10 C&D). On the ground and part of the flight After take off and before landing in Billings. We had very cold air blow on us.
I think everything was just fine I wouldn't change nothing
It was as good as it could be. Flying is not a pleasant experience these days.
Very good flight. Crew was great. No issues and we even arrived early.
Checkin was good, fllight ws good. Onlly complaint is lack of foot on 6 hour flight from Seattle to Boston. Snacks were flimsy - chips and cookies. could have offered something more substantial for such a long flight. I know you can buy food in airport but for the price you pay for a ticket, they should step up for the passengers.
While they turned off most cabin lights to allow people to sleep, I was bothered by how bright the side lights still were. It was still quite bright for me in a window seat, when I wish I could have slept!
I took seat 15A in anticipation of window seat, there is no window.
It was nt delta. It was aeromexo. Service was awful. They served a very small drink and NO snack for a 3hr and 35min flight. Then for the first 30 min of the flight is was talk and talk over head interruption the movie/ show i picked to watch.
There was a security issue at the airport and we were unable to land. We circled endlessly and then landed at another airfield for fuel. We then circled the airport again, almost landed but didn’t fully touch down before circling again. I am thankful to the crew for keeping us safe- the issue was the airline and staff at the airport getting us seats on our connecting flights. That part was hours of searching for someone and getting in double my steps.
Horrible. Grateful to be alive but spent 13 hours at airport only to return back to my familys house and flight changed to next day. They tried to fix a part on plane, had no back up plane and after 10 hours , reattempted the flight and it STILL wasn't fixed. We got a meal voucher and rescheduled flight but there should be some other compensation for the 15 hours spent in airport
One of the best crews and best flights I’ve ever had! Really great experience
The bus ride from the terminal to board the plane is uncomfortable and stressful when making a connection.
I had a cancelled flight because of technical issues going to my destination, and a delayed flight coming home. All told it wasn’t a total bust.
Women boarding passengers at the gate was absolutely rude and disrespectful of passengers. The flight attendant was absolutely delightful! Smiling and connected with the passengers. So happy. The seats are cramped and uncomfortable but I guess that’s just the way it is Communication regarding flight was excellent
It was a pretty standard flight... until the almost hour and a half spent on the taxi way. I get that the weather has been poor but the delay had nothing to do with the weather and more to do with a plane with several issues tying up the gate. I get that that happens from time to time but this has been EVERY flight I've been on for the past 5 years and I fly 3 to 5 times a year. This isn't just United... it's American, it's Delta. It's an issue with the entire industry. I work for UPS and packages on a cargo plane get better service than people do these days. Anymore I HATE flying.
I boarded flight UA#1318 at Sacramento International Airport going back to Houston TX. The flight was scheduled at 5:10am. I was able to check in virtually using the United Airlines app. When I entered the airport, there was no one outside assisting with checked bags as it was for Delta Airlines. Immediately upon entering, there was a LONG, EXTREMELY LONG line to the kiosks to get boarding passes. I stand in line to get boarding passes then had to move to ANOTHER EXTREMELY LONG line to get my bags checked in. While standing in this line, we noticed an agent taking customers to 3 at a time to her station to check their bags in. Lucky for me, she called me back, checked my bags for me and I was on my way. I then encountered another long line at the TSA check and to avoid I ending up having to sign up for CLEAR to bypass it. So glad, I did.,...Both of my flights were great with no issues, butthe check in progress at Bush Airport was so much smoother. Check-in at SMF airport needs to be anaylzed and corrected. Do better United, I know you can....thanks
Really good 😊 the woman at the gate entrance was a little rude checking in our carry-on but i dont think she worked for the airline, she worked for the airport at sacramento, other than that amazing.
The first flight was better in terms of the aircraft.
This was a short flight with no food. The attendants were great but the comfort was poor: just to cramped. The flight from Denver to Frankfort was excellent! Seating was roomier, food was good, service was good. This was a great experience.
Please please take consideration when setting cabin temperature. The vents were not functional and it was over 70 degrees in the cabin during the winter months when most people are used to much cooler indoor temperatures. I was down to my white t-shirt and the sweat pants I wore from Auckland to San Francisco and was sweating profusely and there was NO VENT!
Flight attendant was sincerely mean -- a true disgrace to an otherwise pretty crummy company anyway. Really embarrassing. I actually feel bad for United.
Bag check employee was on the phone the whole time… couldn’t even explain why I was missing tags and just looked at me funny and laughed while he was on the phone. Horrible customer service.
