Pacific Northwest flight impacts on Alaska Airlines this week

Alaska Airlines plans to cut departures out of Seattle by 20% on Wednesday and Thursday, an announcement that comes just one day after the airline canceled 170 flights on Tuesday. 

As cold and snowy weather lingers in Seattle, the airline needs to reduce the number of departures out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to allow for the additional time it takes to de-ice airplanes, the company said in a news release.

The weather systems buffeting the Pacific Northwest are affecting flights outside of the region, and the airline is urging travelers who plan to fly before Jan. 2 to change their plans. Alaska Airlines is offering free travel rearrangements under their limited-time "flexible travel policy," which is in place until Jan. 16. 

"We deeply apologize for the inconvenience this winter storm has on our guests and employees and are working hard to return to the level of service you know and expect from us, while operating safely," Constance von Muehlen, the airline's chief operating officer and executive vice president, said in the release.   

If you are not able to reschedule a flight and must travel this week, you should check your email or the airline's website before leaving for the airport to see if your flight has been canceled. If it has, do not go to the airport to rebook a new flight, the news release said.

If your flight gets canceled after you've arrived at the airport and checked your baggage, you should immediately retrieve your bags at baggage claim before leaving the airport. Due to the increase in canceled flights, it is taking baggage crews up to several days to return unclaimed bags to their owners, the news release said.