Alaska Airlines staff refuse to let her fly after she shows up with two big cats in a single underseat carrier and insists she has “done this for years.” She escalates into a “you are ruining Christmas” rant, demands to be shown the policy “where I booked,” and argues there’s no restriction—while the agents tell her the cats don’t have enough room and she’d need separate carriers (and effectively, another underseat space).
After a 12-hour delay, an American Airlines passenger says the airline offered a free hotel—until reviews described smoke smell, water damage and mold, and even bed bugs at an $84-a-night property. It’s a reminder that airline hotel vouchers can be a dice roll, and you may be better off booking your own room with trip-delay coverage, a distressed-passenger rate, or points.
A pilot flying a private plane from Aspen to the Denver area became incapacitated mid-flight, and the aircraft’s emergency auto-landing system took over navigation and radio calls to air traffic control. ATC audio captures the computer repeatedly announcing “pilot incapacitation” and counting down to landing before it put the plane down safely near Denver, brought it to a stop, and shut the engines down—with everyone onboard surviving.
A woman flying Spirit out of Fort Lauderdale left a Louis Vuitton purse on the Gate F6 counter before boarding for Austin. Another passenger turned it in—then surveillance video shows two gate agents allegedly moving the contents and walking off with the bag. Both employees were arrested and charged with petit theft.
A passenger is fuming after a flight attendant collected the airline blanket at the end of an international flight, insisting it should be included in the fare. Also in today’s roundup: why Iceland airport workers might be “clicking flags” for a tourism survey, the disgusting reality of TSA security bins, early reactions to American’s A321XLR premium economy, Delta Sky Club egg nog, British Airways’ hot-water-bottle ban that collapsed.
A Marriott hotel got so tired of elite guests demanding free bottled water that it put up a blunt sign: you are not entitled to it. And while the message is rude, it is also basically correct—pointing to what’s wrong with how Bonvoy works.
A pilot’s engine failed mid-flight, forcing an emergency landing on Minnesota’s State Highway 89 crossing the Red Lake Reservation. The Red Lake Indian Tribe seized his plane, citing their own illegal 20,000-foot no-fly rule—despite clear federal preemption. But enforcing federal rights is costly and complicated, meaning the tribe’s actions might stand regardless of legality.
United has poured real money into Polaris wine, and it shows on today’s transatlantic menus. Flyers rave about the Catena Zapata “Argentino” Malbec, respect the Domaine Serene, and even the Laurent-Perrier Champagne feels like a deliberate premium signal—though the Whispering Angel rosé drags the lineup down.
The catch: substitutions, inconsistent catering, and limited crew wine knowledge often mean the cart doesn’t match the menu, and the food still can’t keep up.
American’s new Raven + Lily amenity kits are a real improvement—and the first in a while that do not feel cheap. The strange part is how little separates premium economy from Flagship First once you look inside the bag.
A Florida driver was arrested and spent the night in jail after a traffic stop over a rental car’s license-plate frame partially covering the first “S” in “Sunshine State.” Police later released him and apologized, saying the statute’s vague wording led them to believe the frame was illegal
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 »
