Brenda Song Accuses Alaska Airlines of Separating Her Family on Flight

The actress claims the airline gave away her family's first-class seats despite booking months in advance.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:34pm

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Actress Brenda Song took to Instagram to call out Alaska Airlines, alleging the airline separated her family of six, including her two young sons, despite the group having booked first-class tickets months in advance. Song said the airline gave away their seats with no warning the morning of the flight, forcing the family to split up. She vowed to never fly with Alaska Airlines again and urged others to do the same.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing issues with airline customer service and the challenges families can face when traveling, even when booking premium tickets well in advance. It also speaks to the power of celebrity voices to draw attention to consumer complaints against major corporations.

The details

According to Song's Instagram posts, she and her partner Macaulay Culkin had booked first-class tickets for their family of six, including their two young sons, Dakota and Carson, months in advance. However, on the morning of the flight, the airline allegedly gave away their seats without warning, forcing the family to be split up.

  • Song posted about the incident on her Instagram Stories on March 22, 2026.

The players

Brenda Song

An American actress known for her roles in TV shows like The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and movies like Changeland, where she met her partner Macaulay Culkin.

Macaulay Culkin

An American actor best known for his role as a child star in the Home Alone movies, who is now engaged to Brenda Song and has two sons with her.

Alaska Airlines

A major U.S. airline headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't know when you book your first class tickets six months in [advance] for your family of six for your son's birthday, @alaskaair can just give away your seats the morning of with no warning.”

— Brenda Song

“Hell hath no fury like a Brenda scorned.”

— Macaulay Culkin

The takeaway

This incident highlights the frustrations families can face when dealing with airlines, even when booking premium tickets well in advance. It also demonstrates the power of celebrity voices to draw attention to consumer complaints against major corporations.