Category Archives for Airlines.
American Airlines is adding more first class seats to its cramped Airbus A319s—but there’s a catch. To squeeze in an extra row up front, the airline is tightening economy legroom and even installing flight attendant seats directly on lavatory doors, breaking a promise previously made by former CEO Doug Parker. A bit of good news, though – during this transition American will load extra first class meals on planes that have just 8 seats.
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.
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.
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.
A viral video with over 2.5 million views captures the shocking moment a teen repeatedly kicking a passenger’s seat gets his teeth broken when the passenger sharply reclines in response
Southwest Airlines is now forcing passengers to gate-check their carry-on bags early, claiming overhead bins are full even when plenty of space remains available.
This controversial practice, long associated with American, Delta, and United, marks a real shift triggered by Southwest’s recent adoption of assigned seating and checked bag fees, undermining their historical advantage in efficient boarding and angering customers.
American Airlines is being sued over the deadly January 2025 midair collision near Reagan National Airport, despite the U.S. government already admitting liability for the crash involving an Army helicopter and an American Eagle regional jet. Plaintiffs argue the airline shares responsibility, even though American complied fully with federal safety protocols—and the government’s failures in airspace design and air traffic control are clearly documented.
An influencer is sparking debate by claiming airlines should reward thinner passengers with free checked bags, arguing that total passenger weight—including your luggage—should determine ticket prices. While appealing at first glance, this provocative idea ignores airline economics, practical logistics, and legal realities, ultimately proving itself more effective as culture war fodder than actual policy.
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 »
