Alaska Airlines Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Passengers of Alaska Airlines who have experienced a flight cancellation or delay have a legal right to compensation. Under EU 261, airlines must compensate passengers in case of a significant disruption. In this article, we will look at your rights and the actions you need to take to obtain the compensation you deserve from the airline.

Alaska Airlines Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation

Before claiming the Alaska Airlines compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you may expect to get in the event of delay or flight cancellation.

Alaska Airlines Compensation for Flight Delay

According to UK and EU regulations, passengers are eligible for up to €600 in compensation per person if their flight arrives late. It’s important to note that this flight delay compensation is calculated using the flight’s landing time, not the departure time, so the key to your claim hinges on the actual time you arrive at your final destination.

Here’s an overview of how much compensation you may receive if your flight is delayed. The amount of compensation varies based on various criteria, such as the duration of the delay and the distance of your flight:

Less than 3 hours	Between 3-4 hours	Over 4 hours	Distance
€0	€250	€250	All flights up to 1500 km
€0	€400	€400	All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
€0	€400	€400	All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
€0	€300	€600	All non-EU flights over 3500 km

Keep in mind you may not be compensated for every flight delay. Alaska Airlines isn’t required to compensate passengers when extraordinary circumstances they cannot control occur. This includes severe weather conditions, airport issues, or air traffic controller strikes. In such situations, you will generally not be compensated as it is not the airline’s fault.

Alaska Airlines Compensation for Flight Cancellation

EU Regulation 261/2004 states that airlines have to notify passengers of cancellations at least 14 days before the scheduled flight. If the airline fails to notify you in time, you might be eligible for flight cancellation compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per passenger, based on the flight distance. However, if the airline provides you with an alternate flight, it may avoid compensation for the cancelled flight if the following conditions are met:

Advance Notice	Re-routing Requirements
14 Days	None
7 – 13 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

Even when accepting a different flight, passengers retain their entitlement to compensation if they still experience significant delays at their final destination. The compensation amount is calculated according to two criteria: the distance of the flight and the duration of the delay, in line with the table below:

Under 2 hours	2-3 hours	3-4 hours	Over 4 hours	Never arrived	Distance
€125	€250	€250	€250	€250	All flights 1,500 km or less
€200	€200	€400	€400	€400	Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
€200	€200	€400	€400	€400	Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km
€300	€300	€300	€600	€600	Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

Alaska Airlines isn’t required to compensate you if they offer an alternative flight that departs and arrives near the same time as your original flight. Also, you generally won’t receive compensation if the flight is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the airline’s control, such as adverse weather conditions or when airline workers go on strike.

Are Alaska Airlines Flights Covered By EU 261/2004?

European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from European Union airports. It also covers flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

However, Alaska Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, they don’t have to pay you compensation if their flights operate outside of Europe. This applies even to their flights to Europe if they start outside the EU.

Itinerary	Covered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports	✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports	❌ No

How to Claim Compensation from Alaska Airlines

If your travel plans have been affected by a flight cancellation or delay with Alaska Airlines, it’s crucial to understand that you might be entitled to compensation under EU regulations. For this reason, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the process of claiming compensation. Here’s what you need to do:

• Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
• Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

These steps will assist you in filing your claim quickly and improve your chances of getting the compensation you’re owed. You may have plenty of time after your flight to make a claim, but it’s best to complete it as soon as you can while you still remember all the details.

What You Can Get Besides EU Flight Compensation

Alaska Airlines goes the extra mile to help passengers during travel disruptions by providing services that complement flight compensation.

Right to Care

When flight disruptions happen, Alaska Airlines is committed to ensuring passenger comfort through the Right to Care provision. This right, established under EU Regulation 261/2004, kicks in when flight delays exceed two hours. The services provided include:

• Food and Drinks: Passengers are provided with meals and beverages appropriate to the length of delay. This may include vouchers for airport restaurants or direct distribution of snacks and drinks.
• Communication: Alaska Airlines offers two free phone calls, emails, or fax messages to keep passengers connected with family or business contacts.
• Accommodation: If the delay extends for the night or requires an additional stay, Alaska Airlines provides hotel room accommodation. This also includes transportation between the airport and the hotel.
• Special Assistance: Extra care is given to passengers with reduced mobility or special needs.

To access these services, you can simply approach airport staff at the airport for immediate assistance.

Rebooking and Refunds

When Alaska Airlines cancels a flight, passengers can choose to get a full refund or rebook on an alternative flight. This flexibility is essential for minimizing travel inconveniences and helping passengers to handle unforeseen circumstances successfully.

• Full Refund: if you request a refund, you can get full reimbursement for the parts of your trip that you didn’t use, including any tickets you only partly used. Also, if the cancellation means your trip no longer serves its original purpose, you may get a flight back to where you first started at the earliest chance.
• Rebooking: if you choose to continue your trip, Alaska Airlines shall provide rebooking on the next available flight to your destination. You also have the option to choose an alternative route if there are seats available. If the next available flight is scheduled for the following day or later, Alaska Airlines shall arrange accommodation and transfers as necessary. Additionally, you have the right to be rebooked, including in a higher class, at no additional cost to you if that’s the only available option.

It’s important to keep in mind some additional considerations. If you’re rebooked on a lower class than originally booked, you’re eligible for a partial refund of the cost difference. Additionally, if your booking includes connecting flights, Alaska Airlines will assist in rebooking your entire journey, not only the cancelled segment.

Whether choosing a refund or arranging a new flight, the procedures are designed to make this process as easy as possible, understanding the stress and inconvenience caused by cancellations.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations