Alaska travelers encounter widespread flight cancellations; Alaska Airlines CEO says expect at least 110 each day

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Travelers can expect to see significantly fewer Alaska Airlines flight options while a significant chunk of the airline’s fleet remains grounded.

In a video message on Wednesday, Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci estimated anywhere from 110-150 normally-scheduled flights will no longer be available to travelers while 737-9 MAX aircraft undergo mandatory inspection after the recent in-flight blowout of a door plug.

Minicucci said he does not know when the inspections of their 737-9 MAX aircraft will be complete, adding the company’s 65 737-9 MAX aircraft makes up about 20% of the total fleet.

“We will return these aircraft to service only when all findings have been fully resolved and meet the stringent standards of Boeing, the FAA and Alaska Airlines,” he said.

The FAA is looking into manufacturing practices and production lines of the Boeing aircraft, including those involving subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems, which builds the 737-9 MAX fuselage.

“Once the FAA approves an inspection and maintenance process, it will be required on every grounded 737-9 MAX prior to future operation. The safety of the flying public, not speed, will determine the timeline for returning these aircraft to service,” FAA stated in a press release on Wednesday.

The aircraft inspections are having real-time impacts on travelers heading out of Anchorage.

Adriane Smith was one of the several people dealing with flight delays and cancellations at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on Wednesday. Due to flight delays, she and her newborn nephew missed a connecting flight home to Kotzebue.

“I missed my only return flight home tonight,” Smith said.

Smith was stuck in the airport most of the day with her nephew working to find accommodations.

“It means I need to find a hotel, I need to find a ride. … I’ll be away from my family for a night,” Smith said.

Fellow air travelers Tammy and Steve Adams were also impacted by the groundings. As soon as they were informed that their flight was canceled, the couple took swift action by getting ready to leave the next day. They said they have a cruise to get to in Miami.

“We’ve been watching every [flight] that’s been canceled and then we were supposed to take off tomorrow night but we’re leaving today because they canceled our flight. Last night we finally got notification that our flight’s canceled,” Steve Adams said.

Steve Adams said the change made it so they were no longer able to travel with friends, but that they would see them in Florida.

“It’s inconvenient and stressful, but we’ll work through it,” Steve Adams said.

He says ultimately he will always choose to fly with Alaska Airlines.

For those dealing with flight cancellations or delays, Alaska Airlines maintains it has a “systemwide flexible travel policy” in place. To cancel or change your flight click here. To rebook your flight, follow these instructions.

Copyright 2024 KTUU. All rights reserved.