They drink too much, bang on cockpit doors, smoke in the bathroom, light blankets on fire, and break things. It seems like we’re constantly reporting on disruptive passengers interfering with commercial flights, and there’s good reason: air rage incident reports from airlines are up worldwide, according to a new report. [More]
airlines
Traveler Sues Emirates Because He Was Seated Next To Obese Man For 9-Hour Flight
By 9.27.16 — Updated: 5.5.17
We all like to have as much space to ourselves as possible while flying, but sometimes that’s just not the reality. Close quarters on a nine-hour Emirates flight led to a lawsuit from one passenger who claims his trip was ruined because of the “spillover” from the obese man seated next to him. [More]
Travelers Just Want To Know What A Flight Will Cost Upfront
By 9.26.16
There are all kinds of annoyances involved in flying, whether it’s that jerk in front of you who slammed his seat back into your knees or the fees you pay to check a bag and select your seat. But one of the most infuriating things for passengers these days? Not knowing how much your airfare will cost by the time all is said and done. [More]
American Airlines Diverts Flight After Disruptive Passenger Bangs On Cockpit Door
By 9.22.16
An American Airlines flight heading to Dallas/Fort Worth from Ontario, CA made an unscheduled stop in Lubbock this morning because of an unruly passenger who reportedly banged on the cockpit’s door. [More]
Cuban-American Flight Attendants Not Allowed To Stay Overnight In Country Where They Were Born
By 9.16.16
While Cuba appears to be welcoming American airlines and tourists with open arms, the island nation is not so forgiving to those who fled the country in recent decades. We’ve already told you about concerns that cruise ship operators had about coming into port with Cuban-born staff on board. Now American Airlines has had to pull some flight attendants from overnight flights to Cuba because they aren’t welcome to stay.
[More]
Spare Electronics Battery Catches Fire Aboard Delta Air Lines Flight
By 9.16.16
Crew aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Norfolk, VA to Atlanta this morning extinguished a spare electronics battery that caught fire in the rear of the aircraft. But no, Samsung says it probably wasn’t a Galaxy Note 7. [More]
Airlines Verbally Warning Passengers To Not Use Samsung Note 7 During Flights
By 9.12.16
Days after the Federal Aviation Administration put out a statement asking passengers not to use or charge their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on a plane following reports of exploding and smoking devices, some travelers say airlines are taking additional steps to ensure those devices are turned off. [More]
British Airways Flight Diverted After Drunk Passenger Became “Abusive” Toward Crew
By 9.9.16
Think of all the work it takes to put a giant metal flying machine in the air, filled with people, and get it to where it’s supposed to go. Which makes it almost worse that it only takes one intoxicated person to force that plane to change course. This time, it was a British Airways flight that had to be diverted on the way to Orlando. [More]
TSA: Most Travelers Waited 30 Minutes Or Less In Airport Security Lines This Summer
By 9.7.16
Remember four months ago, when everyone was cranky at the Transportation Security Administration because of epically long security screening lines at the nation’s airports? Now that the summer is over, the agency wants everyone to know that it drastically cut wait times in the last few months. [More]
United Flight Diverted After Drunk Passenger Breaks Plane’s Bathroom Door
By 9.6.16
A United Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing in Nashville on Monday night, after an apparently intoxicated passenger broke one of the plane’s bathroom doors and threw up in the sink. [More]
Delta’s Recent System Outage Cost The Airline $100M In Lost Revenue
By 9.2.16
Remember that major systems outage that hit Delta last month, prompting the airline to ground all flights worldwide? In addition to majorly ticking off customers who had their travel plans disrupted and grabbing the attention of lawmakers who have since demanded an explanation for these kinds of outages, Delta lost a whole lot of money. [More]
United Airlines CEO Admits The Company Should Probably Treat Customers Better
By 9.1.16
There must be something in the water this week: while American Airlines is urging customers to stop being such jerks in order to have a better flying experience, United Airlines’ CEO is admitting that the carrier could probably improve its relations with customers. [More]
JetBlue Puts Kids On Wrong Planes In Unaccompanied Minor Switcheroo
By 9.1.16
It sounds like a classic movie switcheroo, but it’s one that gave the families of two five-year-old boys a bit of a real-life scare: JetBlue apparently confused the children, putting a boy who was supposed to go New York City on a flight to Boston, and a boy meant for Boston on a plane to New York City. [More]
Transatlantic United Airlines Flight Diverted After 12 Injured During Severe Turbulence
By 8.31.16
A United Airlines flight from Houston bound for London was diverted to Shannon Airport in Ireland, after extremely bumpy skies injured 12 onboard. [More]
United Airlines Employee Accused Of Stealing $129K Worth Of Jewelry From Passenger
By 8.31.16
Despite that popular childhood chant, finders is not keepers in the adult world, which is why a United Airlines employee is in hot water for allegedly boosting $129,000 in jewelry that was stashed in a passenger’s lost bag. [More]
It’s The Little Things That Often Make Travelers Happy With Airlines These Days
By 8.25.16
In an era of add-on fees, crunched-up knees, and general dissatisfaction with air travel, what does it take for an airline to stand out with customers? Apparently not much. [More]
Does Southwest’s “Bags Fly Free” Policy Hurt On-Time Performance?
By 8.24.16
Southwest Airlines uses its “Bags Fly Free” policy of not charging passengers for their first two checked bags to set itself apart from all its competitors who have begun charging these fees in recent years. A recently released study claims this no-fee practice may actually be hurting the airline, though other data raises questions about this conclusion.
[More]
Cuba Gives Final Approval For First Commercial Flights From Florida
By 8.19.16
If you’ve had your bags packed and been ready to go to Cuba, there’s good news: the island nation’s government has have given the final go-ahead for commercial flights taking off from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. [More]
