A Marriott guest was forced into an absurd debate with hotel staff, who resisted providing bottled water just to brush his teeth. Also in today’s roundup: Epstein-linked Hyatt documents surface, British Airways quietly ends its AARP discount, and why passengers clapping after landing annoys so many travelers.
A United Airlines first class passenger and his hearing impaired wife were booted from their flight after a conflict with an off duty crewmember. Video from the cabin shows the man in his seat, upset but controlled, explaining that the employee snapped at his wife because she “didn’t hear” and “wasn’t listening.”
A group of passengers conducted an in-cabin worship session on a British Airways flight from London to Jamaica. They were singing and chanting, and being lead in prayer from the aisle – for what was reportedly nearly 3 hours. One passenger on board says it began about an hour into the flight and ran for 150 minutes. The preacher was eventually told to sit when the seatbelt sign came on.
American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour insists the airline’s technology performed effectively during last week’s severe storm, despite canceling nearly 10,000 flights. Seymour also denied widespread reports—including from his own CEO—that flight attendants were forced to sleep in airports.
Southwest Airlines’ infamous 2022 holiday meltdown, costing nearly $1 billion, wasn’t an isolated disaster—it echoed their costly 2016 IT failure, which triggered $77 million in losses. Ten years later, they’re still fighting in court to recover insurance payments, showing that failing IT can cost airlines dearly for years after the immediate chaos ends.
Chase brought back a huge bonus on the IHG One Rewards Premier Card: 175,000 points after $5,000 in spend in three months. The $99 card is also a long-term keeper thanks to the annual free night (with top-off), 4th night free on award stays and Platinum status.
An American Airlines passenger discovered a snail in their business class meal on a recent flight from Liberia, Costa Rica, to Dallas. Snails found in produce can carry bacteria or even rare parasites.
United Airlines will purchase the last two Spirit Airlines Chicago O’Hare gates for $30 million, significantly escalating its strategic battle to push American Airlines out of the critical hub. With both airlines locked in an intense fight and billions in loyalty revenue at stake, United’s aggressive move sharply raises the pressure on American as the two carriers are in a pitched battle at the airport.
An FAA safety inspector is suing United Airlines for $12.75 million, claiming he was banned for life from flying the airline after reporting a torn seat pocket—a violation of safety regulations. He had been investigating United’s 737 MAXs and was taken off that duty.
Speculation about American Airlines CEO Robert Isom’s future has reached fever pitch at the airline’s headquarters, distracting employees as rumors swirl about possible replacements. With unions demanding change and recent operational failures shaking confidence, the conversation inside American Airlines isn’t about whether Isom will go—but who might be next in the top seat.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
