Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport will soon close all its smoking rooms. At the same time, it wants to help you stop smoking through a free nicotine lozenges. I’m strongly of the opinion that indoor, airside smoking lounges should remain. While smoking...
Does Lufthansa Think It’s Above The Law?
Lufthansa is in trouble with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for operating “illegally” from two U.S. cities. In fact, the FAA implies that Lufthansa knowingly flouted regulations. That plays into a common theme: does Lufthansa think it’s above the...
Why Is A Canadian Start Up Airline Suing Jet Blue Founder?
A Canadian start-up airline is suing JetBlue founder David Neeleman, claiming he negatively interfered with their venture capital funding then gloated about it. Vancouver-based Canada Jetlines Ltd. wants to offer Ryanair or EasyJet style ultra-low-cost service in Canada. Although...
Should Hotels Ban Local Residents?
My knee-jerk answer is NO WAY, but hotels are not totally out-of-line for raising questions about local residents checking-in. The issue was brought to my attention by The Gate, which shared a story about an Illinois couple being denied...
Qantas Will Bankroll Defamation Lawsuit After American Rapper Accuses Flight Attendant of Racism
Qantas is standing firmly behind its flight attendant against a charge of racism by American rapper William Adams, popularly known as will.i.am. Adams, of the Black Eyed Peas group, was on a flight from Brisbane to Sydney and alleges...
How A Cockpit Photo Outraged China
A pilot lets his girlfriend sit in the cockpit. She posts it on social media. A blogger notices and complains on Weibo. Outrage grows. Many are punished. The pilot is banned for life. But was the reaction a bit...
When Does An Airline “Joke” Impermissibly Cross The Line?
When does a joke cross from crass to simply inappropriate? When does it becomes grounds for a lawsuit. Those are the leading questions emerging from a flight attendant lawsuit against Southwest Airlines. For Renee Steinaker, a Southwest flight attendant...
Southwest Comes Out Swinging Against Flight Attendant Who Alleged Voyeurism
Southwest Airlines has vowed to “vigorously defend” against a flight attendant lawsuit which alleges two pilots placed a hidden video camera in an aircraft lavatory on a flight to Phoenix. After initially failing to directly address the matter, Southwest...
Southwest Flight Attendant Catches Pilots Live Streaming…The Lavatory
Southwest Airlines flight attendant Renee Steinaker is suing Southwest, claiming retaliation for reporting two pilots who allegedly placed a hidden camera in an onboard lavatory. This is a really bizarre story. It begins onboard a Southwest flight from Baltimore...
Nervous American Airlines Flight Attendant Leads To Money Laundering Bust
Some people are horrible liars. Like the American Airlines flight attendant who got a little nervous when questioned by customs officials in Miami. The result was four flight attendants arrested for money laundering. After arriving from Santiago (SCL), immigration...
How A JetBlue Gate Agent Truly Gamed The System
A former JetBlue gate agent faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for an elaborate yet simply-executed fraud scheme. Tiffany Jenkins was an enterprising gate agent for JetBlue in Boston. She hatched a plan to save...
Why Asiana Faces A Punitive 45-Day Ban At SFO
South Korea’s Supreme Court was clear: actions carry consequences. And for troubled Asiana, that means a 45-day ban in service to San Francisco (SFO). In July 2013, Asiana Flight 203 undershot the runway at SFO, crashing after the 777-200ER’s tail...
My Fuel Surcharge Settlement Check Arrives From British Airways…10 Months Late
An unexpected envelope arrived at my house this morning…it was only 10 months late and not even addressed to me. I’ve written about the British Airways fuel surcharge settlement in the past. In short, a lawsuit contended that British Airways’...
Woman Who Sued Emirates Over Water Denial Loses Big
An Australian woman who sued Emirates, claiming they refused to give her enough water onboard, has lost her case. She now faces staggering legal fees. I wrote about the case earlier this year. Lina Di Falco was traveling from...
Why Lufthansa Believes Upcoming Strike Is Illegal
Despite a threatened strike on Sunday by flight attendants, Lufthansa has made clear that flights will operate normally. It has also insisted the planned strike is illegal. The true battle is over UFO recognition. For years, the Unabhängige Flugbegleiter...
Emirates Plans to Defy Court Order In Mexico City
Despite a Mexican federal court ruling against Emirates, the Dubai-based airlines plans to move forward with planned flights to Mexico City via Barcelona. Emirates has tried to launch service to Mexico City for years. Due to the high altitude...
Offensive T-Shirts And The Line Of Decency Onboard Airplanes
Whether a t-shirt calling for the execution of journalists or using a choice expletive to describe the President of the United States, where should an airline draw the line in permissible onboard attire? A man boarded a United flight...
Can You Be Detained At Airport If Deemed A Suicide Risk?
A hypothetical. Let’s say you hint to a family member or loved one that you are contemplating suicide. Say you leave the country and that family member gets worried and calls the police. The police knock on your door...
Lufthansa Concedes Defeat In Hidden City Ticketing Lawsuit
Germans can feel safer taking advantage of hidden city ticketing after Lufthansa withdrew its pending appeal, signaling an important legal victory for consumers. One German man noticed that he could save over $2,000 by booking Oslo – Frankfurt –...
Fraud, Aeroflot-Style
Aeroflot Russian Airlines’ Deputy CEO and three of his colleagues have been arrested for fraud and embezzlement. The details will leave you shaking your head. Vladimir Alexandrov and three Aeroflot employees in the legal department have been charged with...
