JetBlue CEO David “Mortified” Neeleman apologized yet again at a House subcommittee hearing on Consumer Issues. “JetBlue let our customers down and we know it,” Neeleman said in prepared testimony. Nevertheless, the airline industry’s official pariah defended his company against proposed legislation. From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

“As long as I’m head of this company, it will never happen again,” JetBlue CEO David Neeleman testified at a House subcommittee hearing, where he also argued against proposals to restrict how long delayed airplanes can wait on airport tarmacs before passengers have the right to deplane.

Mr. Neeleman testified that limiting how long planes carrying passengers can wait for takeoffs would be tough to implement at busy airports, where dozens of planes can be queued on the tarmac. Such a rule would be unfair to customers who are willing to wait for takeoff rather than return to the airport gate.

The lawmakers’ reaction to the debate was less gentle:

“Baloney!” Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., exclaimed, while paging through a printed copy of a Transportation Department official’s testimony.

—MEGHANN MARCO

Another apology from CEO of JetBlue [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
JetBlue CEO to Apologize for Delays [Forbes]
(Photo: NaniRolls)

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.