Get ready for a flood of lawsuits from pilots, current and former, over jet fumes after a pilot prevailed over JetBlue in a disability-related compensation claim that is a first of its kind in the United States. JetBlue Pilot...
Why Is This Attractive Couple Suing Hilton?
A married couple is suing a Hilton Doubletree property in Denver, alleging the hotel allowed a voyeur to watch their congress. But I’d say the chances of recovery are premature. The incident allegedly took place last September. The 35-year-old...
Cathay Pacific Faces Grave Threat As Massive Protests Loom In Hong Kong
A new security law for Hong Kong proposed by Beijing threatens to launch a new wave of deadly protests. That poses a grave threat to Cathay Pacific. New Beijing Law Stirs Resentment In Hong Kong On Friday, the National...
U.S. DOT Warns Airlines To Issue Refunds (After 25,000 Complaints)
It only took 25,000+ additional complaints, but the U.S. Department of Transportation is reminding airlines what was clear from the start: refunds cannot be withheld for cancelled flights. I’ve discussed (in depth) United’s absurd redefinition of the word cancellation....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Nigeria Threatens To Ban Turkish Airlines
Nigeria has issued a ban effective next Monday on Turkish Airlines unless the airline solves an ongoing baggage accommodation problem. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has given Turkish Airlines an ultimatum: stop leaving passenger baggage behind or stop flying...
