We are scheduled to fly from Anchorage to Seattle next Saturday ((April 9th) on Alaska Airlines. We have a 4 hour layover and then we take a Iceland Air flight to Paris (using credit from 2 years ago). Now, Alaska airlines pilots are on strike and the airline canceled over 100 flights today!
My question is....on the chance they cancel our flight, should we change our flight to get in the night before and overnight in Seattle? Since we have two separate tickets for two airlines, Iceland Air will not wait for us if our flight is canceled and we do not make it.
Please don't comment that this was not a good idea. I know many would not do it, but the flight from Anchorage to Seattle is their milk run, they have many flights everyday and there are not a lot of good choices up here in the far north. We often use miles to get to Seattle to catch an international flight.
Posted by
1361 posts
Tammy: Are you sure they are on strike? I read that they are picketing, and that flights have been canceled but as far as I know, no strike vote has been held. I know that's small comfort if your flight is canceled. So perhaps the safest thing to do is fly in the day before. At least that way you'll have multiple chances to get to Seattle. Good luck. I hope it all works out for you.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11155 posts
My question is....on the chance they cancel our flight, should we change our flight to get in the night before and overnight in Seattle?
I have no better solution to offer. The cost of a hotel is peanuts compared to the consequences of missing the flight out of SEA.
Good luck
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8340 posts
Tammy, the news here made it sound as if this was a one day work slow-down, not a long term labor action. I do think it might be wise to come in the night before just because so many things seem to happening with staffing issues regardless of labor issues.
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
You could look at buying a fully-refundable ticket to Seattle as a backup. Expensive, but if it saves the trip, it could be worth it. And if you don't end up needing it, cancel for a full refund.
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
Tammy, I am watching the local news now and it was reported that 16% of flights were canceled. It was also reported that this is happening at PDX as well. More info from Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/pilot-shortage-leads-to-dozens-of-flight-cancellations-at-sea-tac-on-friday/?amp=1
I hope it all works out for you.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13905 posts
My word! Well, I hope it’s just a slowdown but I'd come on down the night before. You’re packed already, right? 😉
I’m with Aimee and using the same feeder airport to SEA, I totally understand doing this.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6487 posts
I doubt if they'd cancel all their ANC-SEA flights -- as you say, it's their milk run. Maybe you can figure out how many they cancelled today, or will tomorrow. I suggest rebooking for early next Friday and getting a SeaTac hotel that night. If they cancel your morning flight they'll probably put you on one later that day, and you'll be able to make the Icelandair flight the next day.
I live theoretically about an hour south of SeaTac, but I often spend the night up there before an early AM flight to the east coast, since the freeway traffic can be awful. The Red Lion is right across the street from the terminal and has good shuttle service. They show a $124 rate for April 8, which I assume is non-refundable. Less if you're a senior or AAA.
Hope this trip pulls itself off for you!
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1658 posts
Your ultimate goal is to be in Seattle on April 9th, right. If you have the time, why not get to Seattle a day or two before, the 7th or 8th. I can think of a lot of worse places to have to spend an extra day or two. There are plenty of reasonable hotels in Seattle. Plus, you will eliminate some travel time on the 9th. Don't start your trip under stress. Good luck.
Posted by
OP
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3213 posts
Thank you everyone, the consensus does seem to be to overnight and I’m leaning that way myself. Going to give the MVP line a call today and see what they say. We have friends that live near the airport, so whenever we overnight there, we have dinner together. That makes overnighting more appealing and of course, no stress on missing our flight to Paris!
Posted by
Michigan
39 posts
Just now seeing this Tammy. It sounds like you’ve made a great decision to overnight in Seattle. Whatever helps reduce the stress! Hope it all works smoothly and we’ll see you in Paris for the tour!
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2324 posts
FWIW I spent a decent overnight on my return from Iceland at the Country Inn & Suites Sea-Tac. Huge room, decent breakfast, reliable shuttle. Just make sure you have plenty of time to get back through Sea-Tac to your Iceland Air flight. The regular security line can be immense and I was ever-so-thankful to have Pre-Check.
And sorry about the Alaska Airlines drama - they're my preferred carrier and it's an unfortunate situation. I'd definitely err on the side of early arrival, especially since you have built in dinner plans! Best of luck to you.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA, USA
226 posts
Alaska is part of One World see if you can fly AA or Jet Blue to JFK,BOS or another Iceland Air destination and see if Iceland Air can fly you out of another city. Or fly down to SEA a few days before if your schedule permitts.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8340 posts
This is an old post from April. Tammy has already done her trip.