A week after singer Richard Marx criticized Korean Air crew members as being “ill-equipped” to deal with unruly passengers after he helped subdue a fellow traveler on a flight from Vietnam to South Korea, the carrier says it will better train employees and allow them to use stun guns to manage in-flight disturbances. [More]
airlines
Following Richard Marx Heroics, Airline Eases Restrictions On Using Tasers On Unruly Passengers
By 12.27.16
Police Physically Drag Passenger Off Delta Flight After She Refused To Leave Plane
By 12.13.16
There are unruly and disruptive passengers, and then there are situations where law enforcement has to physically drag someone off a plane: Delta Air Lines confirms that police had to forcibly remove a woman from a plane in Detroit after she reportedly refused to comply with staff at the gate — and it was all caught on video. [More]
In-Flight Cellphone Calls May Finally Be Ready For Takeoff
By 12.9.16
You know that woman on the mall scream-talking into her cellphone? She could be on your next flight — well, maybe in a few years. After decades of prohibiting airline passengers from yakking away on their cellular devices from 20,000 feet up, federal regulators are mulling the idea of allowing travelers to make cellphone calls while in flight. [More]
Delta Retiring Its Branded Pretzels & Nuts In Favor Of Upgraded Free Snack Options
By 12.8.16 — Updated: 12.10.16
It looks like Delta Air Lines has been busy in the kitchen: a day after announcing it was testing free meals in economy class on some transcontinental flights, the carrier is making yet another change to complimentary onboard offerings. [More]
Delta Considering Bringing Free Meals Back To Coach
By 12.7.16 — Updated: 12.8.16
After years of airlines taking away perks that once used to be included in the price of a ticket, Delta Air Lines could be bringing back one of those amenities from the bygone travel era: free meals in coach. [More]
Could Badly-Behaved Airline Passengers Lead To A Better Flying Experience For Everyone?
By 12.6.16
Though it might be disheartening to hear that air rage incidents reported by airlines are on the rise, take heart, my fellow fliers: all those unruly passengers could, arguably, lead to positive change in the industry. [More]
Senator Calls On Airlines To Not Charge Extra For Access To Overhead Bins
By 12.5.16
Should fliers have to pay to access the overhead bin on their flights? One lawmaker doesn’t think so, and wants United Airlines to ditch a new lower-cost fare option that limits travelers to exactly one small carry-on item that fits under their seat. [More]
Southwest Flight Makes Unscheduled Stop After Passenger Gives Birth On The Plane
By 12.5.16
A Southwest Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Orlando gained an additional passenger in mid-air yesterday when a woman gave birth on the plane. [More]
Don’t Give Up Your Seat On A Flight Until You’ve Read The Airline Voucher’s Fine Print
By 12.2.16
You’re waiting at a crowded gate to board your flight, when suddenly, you hear it. “Flight XYZ is overbooked; do we have any volunteers willing to give up their seat in exchange for a travel voucher?” But before you volunteer yourself as tribute in the airline Hunger Games, make sure you understand exactly what kind of restrictions might come with that voucher. [More]
Amid Rash Complaints, American Airlines Flight Attendants Want New Uniforms Recalled
By 12.2.16
After months of many American Airlines flight attendants complaining that their new uniforms are giving them hives, rashes, and headaches, a union that represents the workers is pushing the company to issue a full recall of all the uniforms. [More]
United Airlines Passenger Opens Exit Door, Hops Out While Plane Taxis
By 11.29.16
It’s always important to know where the exits are on an aircraft, but it’s also important that you not use the exit until the plane has come to a stop — and even then, you should not take it upon yourself to open the door. These are lessons that one United Airlines passenger apparently forgot. [More]
Lufthansa Pilots’ Strike Cancels 876 Flights, Affecting 100K Passengers
By 11.22.16
If you’ve got tickets to fly with Lufthansa on Wednesday, well, you might be facing a kink in your travel plans: the airline has canceled 876 flights amidst a 24-hour pilots’ strike. [More]
United Airlines Launching Cheaper “Basic Economy” Fares
By 11.15.16 — Updated: 11.16.16
Don’t mind not being able to pick your seats, boarding last, and carrying just a single personal item on board with you that fits under your seat? United Airlines thinks it has an option for you in its new, cheaper, “Basic Economy” fares. [More]
Alaska Airlines Flies First Commercial Jet Fueled By Trees
By 11.15.16
Alaska Airlines flew a bit greener yesterday, powering up one of its jets with a special biofuel made from trees and flying from Seattle to Washington, D.C. [More]
More Flight Attendants Reporting Issues With American Airlines’ New Uniforms
By 11.14.16
Although American Airlines previously said issues flight attendants were having with the new uniforms — like causing hives and headaches — were limited to about a dozen people with wool allergies, a union that represents flight attendants says there have now been 1,300 complaints over the clothing. [More]
Multiple Airlines Experience Issues With Reservations After Sabre Systems Glitch
By 11.11.16 — Updated: 11.13.16
If you’ve been having issues booking flights today, you’re not alone: multiple carriers have confirmed they were affected by a glitch in the Sabre reservation system. [More]
American Airlines’ In-Flight WiFi Love Triangle
By 11.9.16
While it’s no secret that American Airlines has been working with in-flight WiFi provider ViaSat to offer speedier connections, its current partner GoGo can’t be too thrilled that the carrier has plans to install its rival’s service in about 500 more of its aircraft. [More]
Large Green Snake On A Plane Surprises Passengers On Aeromexico Flight
By 11.7.16 — Updated: 1.9.17
Pardon me a moment, while I pull out the usual Samuel L. Jackson reference and dust it off: passengers on an Aeromexico flight experienced a real life Snakes On A Plane moment on Sunday after a large green snake slithered from the ceiling to greet his captive audience. [More]
