Delta cancelled 689 flights in just three days, and the problem wasn’t lingering weather — it was a union-contract catch-22 that made last-minute pilot staffing break down. A chain of rules around automated trip offers and “auto-accept” windows created a timing trap: open trips piled up faster than schedulers could award them, and cancellations followed even as conditions normalized.
One traveler was spotted eating cole slaw with her hands straight out of a gallon Ziploc—yet this barely cracks the top ten of “things you see at airports.” Also in today’s roundup: an Executive Platinum’s burst-open bag that American waved off as “minor,” a cargo-hold nap (British Airways warned staff to stop using holds as bathrooms..), and a filthy long haul business class seat that has people asking whether anyone cleans these planes anymore.
A confrontation at the Frontier Airlines check‑in counter in Houston escalated after travelers appeared to be denied check‑in for a missed flight, leading to a police response and multiple detentions. The viral clip has been reposted with exaggerated claims, but the footage shows the incident unfolding at the ticket counter before boarding.
A woman says goodbye to her “traveling boyfriend” at airport baggage claim — and seconds later her husband appears with flowers, stunning everyone nearby. But look closely at the monitor: this isn’t security footage at all, it’s a production feed, and the on-screen file name gives away what’s going on.
An airline wanted $100 to check his bag, and a Danish traveler returning to Spain after a three-month vacation in Mexico didn’t have it — so he settled into Mérida’s airport and effectively made it his home. Trying to reach Havana for a separate ticket to Madrid he says expires January 11, he became a quiet fixture in the terminal until staff started calling him the “Danish Tom Hanks.”
A flight delay sent one American Airlines passenger to the Flagship Lounge at DFW for a quick shower. When they finished, they returned the key, said “thank you,” and started walking away—until the employee stopped them cold: “Where is the tip?”
Two Pakistan International Airlines flight attendants assigned to PK840 (a Boeing 777 from Jeddah to Multan) got into a physical fight in the departure lounge before boarding. Video shows the two women locked up by the arms while a mustached airline official tries to separate them, with bystanders stepping in as they re-engage. The flight ultimately pushed back 2 hours and 19 minutes late, and both attendants were suspended.
Scott Kirby predicted United would push American out of Chicago O’Hare, but American is finally acting like a carrier with fight left—adding 100 peak daily departures and explicitly positioning the move as competition. The gate battle, a $30 million grab for two Spirit gates, and United’s immediate retaliation to new Chicago routes all point to the same thing: O’Hare is turning into a real schedule war.
Airlines don’t buy wine the way you do. They buy through tenders and through vendors that manage the unglamorous parts: forecasting, bonded supply, station-by-station distribution, substitutions, and even menu language and crew training. That’s why economy wine can land around $3 a bottle, while trophy First Class pours can run hundreds—and why both can still taste disappointing if they’re chosen (or served) without any thought to the inflight environment.
The Capital One Venture X 100,000-mile bonus is ending. With six months to earn the miles and premium perks like lounge access, travel credits, and transferable points, it’s easily one of the best card offers of the year.
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 »
