Two years ago, regional airlines warned that new regulations, higher costs of school, and lower salaries had led to a shortage of pilots for the companies that typically handle the smaller, regional routes for larger airlines. Now, one short-haul carrier says that lack of pilots is the reason it’s filed for bankruptcy. [More]
american airlines
Major Airlines’ Regional Partner, Republic Airways, Files For Bankruptcy Over Pilot Shortage
By 2.26.16
Man Says His American Airlines’ Seat Was Soaked In Urine
By 2.25.16
Last year, a California couple were greeted by a truly gross experience when they found a barf bag full of, well, barf in the seatback of the flight they had just boarded. As difficult as it might be to believe, an Iowa man’s recent experience might top that disgusting discovery: he claims the seat he was assigned, and subsequently sat in, was soaked with urine. [More]
Airlines Offering Fee Waivers After Winter Weather Snarls Flights
By 2.24.16
High winds and an impending snowstorm have brought a number of delays and cancellations to air travel into and out of Chicago airports today. As a result, many airlines are now offering to waive fees for travelers seeking to change their plans. [More]
American Airlines Drops Lawsuit Against GoGo, Still Wants Faster WiFi
By 2.22.16 — Updated: 11.9.16
Earlier this month, American Airlines sued their in-flight WiFi provider, GoGo, over what the airline considers unacceptably slow connection speeds. Today, the airline announced that it has dropped the lawsuit, but still plans to look around for a new and less crappy provider for their shorter domestic flights. [More]
Traveler Complaints About Airlines Increased Nearly 30% Last Year
By 2.19.16
While airlines might not be leaping at the chance to tell customers how to file complaints about their service, that hasn’t stopped more travelers from sharing their tales of woe with the Department of Transportation. In fact, the number of complaints filed by beleaguered passengers increased by nearly 30% last year. [More]
Mother Says American Airlines Failed To Tell Her When Unaccompanied Daughter’s Flight Was Diverted, Canceled
By 2.18.16
You put a lot of trust in an airline when you hand over your unaccompanied child for a solo flight. At the very least, you’d hope that someone might let you know when your kid’s flight is diverted and then canceled. [More]
Southwest And American Planes Collide On Taxiway In Detroit This Morning
By 2.17.16
Passengers on early flights this morning in Detroit got a scary jolt when their planes collided while passing each other on the taxiway. Early this morning at the Detroit Metropolitan airport in the suburb of Romulus, the wing of an American Airlines aircraft clipped the tail of a Southwest aircraft while both were on their way to be de-iced. [More]
American Airlines Sues GoGo Over Slow Inflight WiFi, May Change Provider
By 2.16.16
Hate your inflight Internet service? Apparently so does American Airlines, which has sued wireless broadband provider GoGo in the hope of being able to switch to a faster service for hundreds of its planes. [More]
American Airlines Will Give You Free Treats At The Gate If Your Flight Is Delayed For At Least Two Hours
By 2.12.16
Would a bag of pretzels or a can of soda placate you if your flight were delayed for two hours? American Airlines hopes that’s all it’ll take. [More]
World Health Organization Declares Zika Virus “Emergency”: Which Airlines Offer Refunds, Rebooking?
By 2.1.16
The World Health Organization officially declared the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne illness that has been linked to birth defects in thousands of babies, an International Health Emergency. [More]
American Airlines Bringing Back Free Snacks, Meals On Some Flights
By 2.1.16
Nearly two months after United Airlines said it would turn back the clock and start providing passengers with free nibbles, American Airlines is also jumping on the snack bandwagon, once again offering complimentary treats — and, on some flights, free meals — to economy-class travelers. [More]
American Airlines Flight Bound For L.A. Turns Around After Mystery Illness Spreads Through Cabin
By 1.28.16
It sounds like something out of a movie: a plane full of people and a sudden, mysterious illness that spreads through the cabin, taking down flight attendants and passengers alike. Except there was a real, puzzling malady afflicting people on an American Airlines flight last night, one that forced the pilot to turn the plane around and is still stumping officials. [More]
Airlines Allowing Travelers To Zika Virus-Affected Countries To Cancel, Postpone Trips At No Cost
By 1.27.16
UPDATE: JetBlue is also offering refunds for travelers with tickets to regions affected by the Zika virus. [More]
Severe Turbulence During American Airlines Flight Sends 7 Passengers To The Hospital
By 1.25.16
Seven passengers on an American Airlines flight from Miami to Milan were injured Sunday night after the plane encountered severe turbulence, and had to make an emergency landing in Newfoundland. [More]
Traveling This Weekend? Airlines Offering Travel Waivers Ahead Of Winter Storm
By 1.21.16
Planning on traveling by plane in the next few days? The winter storm rolling across the country this weekend might have something to say about that. Ahead of the storm’s arrival, most U.S. airlines are issuing travel advisories and weather waivers for customers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic who might find their plans ruined by snow, ice, sleet, wind, etc. [More]
American Airlines Admits Crew Shouldn’t Have Refused To Allow Safety Harness, Will Modify Pre-Flight Manual
By 1.13.16
Remember John and his family, who wanted to use a child safety harness approved by the Federal Aviation Administration on a recent American Airlines flight, but were told they couldn’t? American has now admitted the pilot and crew were wrong for telling the family the device couldn’t be used during taxi and takeoff, and told John the airline will update its pre-flight manuals. [More]
Delta Moves Past United To Snag No. 2 U.S. Airline Spot By Traffic
By 1.12.16
When you’re a major U.S. airline, there’s only one direction you want to go, and that’s up. Which is why Delta Air Lines is likely in a celebratory mood and United Airlines is perhaps a bit down in the dumps today, upon hearing the news that the former has passed the latter to become the No. 2 carrier based on traffic for 2015, behind American Airlines. [More]
American Airlines Should Not Have Told Family They Couldn’t Use FAA-Approved Safety Harness
By 1.11.16 — Updated: 5.23.17
Consumerist reader John and his wife were traveling with their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter on an American Airlines flight from New York to San Diego, and they’d brought along a special device to help keep their toddler safe, a CARES (Child Aviation Safety Restraint System) harness. Despite the fact that it’s approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, John says the flight’s pilot refused to take off while his daughter was using it in her seat. [More]
