Reader losingtrader was flying American Airlines flight AA535 on March 25th and discovered there were more than passengers in the first class cabin.
A[merican Airlines] boarded the [San Jose del Cabo] – Phoenix flight with knowledge of a swarm of bees on the top of the craft. During boarding some bees entered the craft and I was stung in my first class seat.
The pilot was informed of a lady’s bee allergy but decided to leave the passengers to handle killing random bees so he could push on time. I think passengers killed 5 bees.
Bees swarming planes isn’t uncommon. Here are bees swarming a Vietnam Airlines Airbus A330 in Ho Chi Minh City:
Several years ago I wrote about American Airlines being busy as bees calling a beekeeper not once but twice for the same aircraft. Approximately 1000 bees swarmed the cargo door of a 767, and the flight was delayed because no one could access it.
They called a beekeeper who captured the queen bee and swarm and then airline employees finished unloading the aircraft. Shortly after the beekeeper left, another swarm showed up and the beekeeper was called back, captured the swarm, and then the airline finished loading cargo and bags.
Fortunately the San Jose del Cabo flight didn’t have a swarm of bees inside the cabin, just a few. And in losingtrader’s telling, even the passenger with a bee allergy was fine. I’m guessing standard compensation for a bee sting is around 5000 miles or a $100 travel credit.
Well at least they pushed on time. Maybe the bees didn’t swarm the first class cabin more because they found out the snack selection had been gutted and there was no pre-depature beverages.
Compensation could also be a teaspoon of benadryl.
Bees were friendlier than the crew.
I’m guessing American Airlines should increase their standard compensation for a first class aircraft bee sting to 5000 miles or a $100 travel credit for EVERY bee sting and get a complimentary Epi-pen. Coach class would have their compensation reduced by 50 percent. Valued basic economy passengers would have their bee sting compensation reduced by 90 percent.
fighting off bees? I do know that they can fly 30 to 40,000 feet up in the air and catch up with airplanes. LOL
AA does not have first class on this route. Mexico and Central America will actually be marketed as business class as well, as opposed to first class marketed cabin (Busines class fare bucket) when flying domestically.
@steph wins with the Comment of the Day!!!
@DaninMCI Gets my vote for best comment.
Was it in first class or in beesness class? I guess after landing they exited the plane, merrily yelling “Honey, I’m home!”
That would terrify me. One sting and I’m dead. Now I have to carry my epipen in the air?