Questions and Answers

Yesterday when my husband and I were returning from Maui on ALASKA AIRLINES, I was downgraded to coach so a deadheading pilot could take my seat. I was upset beyond words!!! We had been in the islands celebrating our 25th anniversary and this simply ruined the trip!! We were on AA812 from OGG to SJC, none of our fellow passengers could believe Alaska Airlines would do this to a full fare first class passenger!!! I purchased the tickets almost a year ago, we were NOT flying on an upgrade.

I told the gate representative and customer service they had LOST a customer!!! My husband and I fly 3 to 4 times a year and we always fly first class!!!

My father worked for United Airlines for over 40 years, I’m familiar with the pecking order on revenue/non revenue passengers and NEVER witnessed anything like this on United Airlines!

[QUOTE=”shIrley, post: 68611″]Yesterday when my husband and I were returning from Maui on ALASKA AIRLINES, I was downgraded to coach so a deadheading pilot could take my seat. I was upset beyond words!!! We had been in the islands celebrating our 25th anniversary and this simply ruined the trip!! We were on AA812 from OGG to SJC, none of our fellow passengers could believe Alaska Airlines would do this to a full fare first class passenger!!! I purchased the tickets almost a year ago, we were NOT flying on an upgrade.

I told the gate representative and customer service they had LOST a customer!!! My husband and I fly 3 to 4 times a year and we always fly first class!!!

My father worked for United Airlines for over 40 years, I’m familiar with the pecking order on revenue/non revenue passengers and NEVER witnessed anything like this on United Airlines![/QUOTE]

Hey Shirley,

that stinks. I don’t blame you. But I bet you it also happens on United. It definitely does on AA, where (I believe) deadheading pilots are entitled to F as per their union contract IF they are being positioned by AA and not commuting for work (which they do, but aren’t entitled to an F seat).

It certainly won’t help now, but I’d be willing to bet that Alaska will give you miles as compensation. Additionally, I’d demand that they refund the difference between First and Coach fares – and don’t let them use the walk-up Y fare – you purchased them a year out.

[QUOTE=”shIrley, post: 68611″]Yesterday when my husband and I were returning from Maui on ALASKA AIRLINES, [B][I]I was downgraded to coach[/I][/B] so a deadheading pilot could take my seat. I was upset beyond words!!![/QUOTE]

I missed the most important issue in my first reply – you were celebrating your anniversary, and when YOU got downgraded you sat in Coach and your husband stayed in F? That is a travesty. 😉

You should ask for a refund of the difference between first and economy since you bought first and flew economy. That’s all!

I don’t think adding drama will be useful, customer service mights just ignore you or do the minimum required… It was a flight back, so vacation can’t be ruined, they were over. Other passengers couldn’t believe […] I don’t think they care much beside some immediate compassion. It was just some bad luck that happens from time to time.

I agree with Alex. Certainly not trying to downplay what happened, but I find it best to keep emotion out of it. Just be to the point with customer service – you bought First Class, and you ended up in Coach. Plain and simple, and there should be compensation as such.