Let me put it bluntly: if your flight is canceled and an airline doesn’t issue a prompt refund, you should dispute the charge with your credit card company. In 1994, charismatic attorney for O.J Simpson Johnnie Cochran told the...
Split Decision: Mother Found Guilty Of Beating SWISS Pilot While Grandma Walks…
Earlier this week I shared about the mother-daughter duo who were arrested for assaulting a SWISS Air captain over a hand baggage disagreement. A London court just adjudicated the case. Henrietta Mitaiare, 23, and Mary Roberts, 53, were traveling from Zurich...
SWISS Pilot Attacked By Mother-Daughter Duo…Over Baby Stroller
A SWISS pilot has alleged a mother-daughter duo from London attacked him over a baby stroller. Henrietta Mitaiare, 23, and Mary Roberts, 53, were traveling from Zurich (ZRH) to London (LHR) last May with Mitaiare’s child. Upon boarding, Mitaiare was informed...
Woman Subdued After Threatening To “Stab Everyone” On United 777-200
“I’m going to stab everyone on the plane. Then kill myself. I’m Palestinian! That’s how we get down!” Famous last words… United Passenger Arrested After Threatening To Stab Passengers Dana Ghazi Mustafa is in lots of trouble. The troubled...
U.S. Considers Weakening Consumer Protections Against Airlines
The U.S. Department of Transportation wants to “clarify” what constitutes “unfair and deceptive practices” when it comes to airlines and travel agencies. I’m not expecting this to end well… The DOT has widespread statutory power to prevent “unfair and...
Reclining American Airlines Passenger Claims “Assault” After Exasperated Man Punched Her Seat
Ah yes, the great seat recline debate rears its ugly head once again. Is It “Assault” When You Punch The Seat Of The Passenger In Front Of You? Legally, assault is intentionally putting another person in reasonable apprehension of...
Ryanair Ads Banned For Misleading Consumers
Irish budget carrier Ryanair has been told by the United Kingdom that its latest ad campaign must end and causes consumer confusion. Ryanair claims to be “Europe’s low CO2 emissions airline”. Its TV and radio ads cite the carrier’s...
Jewish Family Thrown Off American Airlines For “Foul Body Odor” Now Suing AA
A Jewish family is suing American Airlines for $75,000, alleging discrimination and defamation after being removed from a flight to Detroit last year for what American called “extremely offensive body odor”. Yehuda and Jennie Adler were traveling with their...
Opportunistic? American Airlines Pilots Refuse To Fly China, Sue Airline
I’m not saying, I’m asking: is there a direct link between the battle for a new contract and pilot’s refusal to fly to China at American Airlines? American Airlines Pilots Fight For New Contract I’ve written about the ongoing...
Delta Fined $50,000 For Removing “Suspicious” Muslim Passengers
The U.S. Department of Transportation has fined Delta $50,000 for two incidents of profiling that adversely impacted Muslim passengers. Delta maintains it did nothing wrong. Incident #1: Delta Flight Attendant “Uncomfortable” With Passenger Who Did Not Smile A Muslim...
FAA Whistleblower Alleges Southwest Airlines Favoritism
A whistleblower from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has alleged that regulators cut corners and neglected safety concerns in an effort to aid Southwest Airlines. The Office of Special Counsel, which investigates whistleblower complaints from federal agencies, “Found a substantial...
California Teachers Sue Delta For Fuel Dump
Four elementary school teachers are suing Delta Air Lines for a fuel dump that showered them with jet fuel. California Teachers Sue Delta Claiming “emotional and physical distress” because the pilots did not follow protocol, four female elementary school...
Should This Model Have Been Denied Access To Qantas Lounge?
First it was ugg boots, now it is fitness attire. Qantas is in the news again over its comparatively strict lounge dress code. Does this dress code discriminate on the basis of sex? Should an American fitness model have...
Dutch Airline Executive Captured In Italy, Extradited To USA
A former Dutch airline executive was arrested in Italy and has been extradited to the USA over conspiracy charges to fix prices on airline cargo routes. Maria Christina Ullings served for many years as the Senior Vice President of Cargo...
Creepy American Airlines Employee Stalked Female Passenger At Airport And Onboard, Offered Her Free Flights
An American Airlines employee is in big trouble after misappropriating personal passenger information in a manner which can only be described as super creepy. Imagine you are sitting in the gate area and all of a sudden receive the...
Delta Air Lines Should Capitalize On Atlanta Smoking Ban
The indoor smoking ban at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has officially gone into effect. Delta should capitalize on the restrictive new law with an innovative use of its SkyClub patio in Terminal F. I read through the language of the...
“Lucky” Airline Passenger Fined $17,000 For Good Luck Stunt
I feel very sorry for Lu Chao. An innocent act has landed him in a heap of trouble with a fine he claims he cannot pay. Airline Passengers Fined For Tossing Coin Into Aircraft Engine Last February, I wrote...
Analysis: American Airlines Sues Delta Over “Flagship”
American Airlines has sued Delta over its use of the term “flagship” in its brand marketing. I wouldn’t call this a frivolous case, though I am not certain American Airlines can show consumer confusion, a key hurdle for winning...
EU Court: Airlines Broadly Liable For Coffee Spills Onboard
The European Union’s highest court has held that airlines are responsible for scalding caused by hot coffee tipped over for “unknown reasons” unrelated to turbulence or flight attendant negligence. A six-year-old girl is at the heart of the lawsuit....
American Airlines Mechanic Pleads Guilty To Sabotaging Aircraft
A long-time American Airlines mechanic has pleaded guilty to tampering with an aircraft, but strongly denied there was any link to terrorism. In a U.S. federal court in Miami, Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani pleaded guilty to attempted destruction of...