Using its emergency powers, Los Angeles may “commandeer” hotels that refuse to take homeless vouchers during the pandemic. Luxury hotels like the InterContinental Downtown and Ritz Carlton have pushed back on pleas to house the homeless. Project Roomkey is...
Airlines Have Every Right To Cut Employee Hours Under CARES Act
I touched on this in my earlier post on American Airlines CEO Doug Parker ridiculing United Airlines for cutting employee hours but I think this warrants a dedicated post. In a nutshell, Congress was either extremely sloppy or did...
U.S. Supreme Court Debates First Class Vs. Economy Class
A narrow majority on the U.S. Supreme Court indicated a preference for “first class” information over “economy class” information in a recent ruling, using a metaphor that strikes close to home. No, this is not really a travel-related post....
13 Nations Demand EU Suspend Mandatory Refunds For Cancelled Flights
13 European nations have formally asked the European Union to stop requiring refunds for cancelled flights. Will the EU finally cave in at the expense of consumers? I’ve already written about how Germany has backed Lufthansa’s efforts to deny...
Lufthansa Considers Strategic Bankruptcy
As Lufthansa negotiates for a huge government bailout, it is also exploring bankruptcy as another path toward sustainability. The Süddeutsche Zeitung reports that Lufthansa is considering filing for bankruptcy. It is quickly burning through its remaining cash and finds...
United Pilot Sues Westin Denver Airport After Humiliating Arrest
A pilot who was arrested for “indecent exposure” for walking around his hotel room naked is now suing the hotel the hotel where the incident took place. The incident occurred in September 2018. United pilot Andrew Collins was at the...
What Constitutes A “Significant” Flight Schedule Change?
The U.S. Department of Transportation has made clear that even in the COVID-19 era, airlines must offer ticket refunds when a cancellation or significant schedule occurs. But what constitutes a significant schedule change? U.S. DOT Affirms Carriers Must Offer...
Lawsuit: Passenger Forcefully Dragged From Lavatory To Seat With Her Pants Down By Angry Flight Attendants
A lawsuit claims Aer Lingus flight attendants dragged a woman from the lavatory and flung her back into her seat while her pants will still down after she could not wait any longer to use the lavatory prior to...
United Airlines Sued For Refusing Refunds: Class Action Coming?
Jacob Rudolph decided enough was enough. After repeatedly denying his refund request, Rudolph has sued United Airlines and is now seeking class-action status, a move which would allow all those impacted by United’s failure to promptly to refund tickets...
If The Airline Refund Doesn’t Impute, You Must Dispute…
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...
