Airlines are consistently working to improve the travel experience for passengers around the world. 2024 saw several breakthroughs, including Delta and United agreeing to Apple’s AirTag technology in an effort to find lost baggage. In other advancements, the long-standing problem of gate lice is also being worked on with a new technology at three airports around the US. If it works, gone are the days of passengers sneaking into line when their gate isn’t called.
Despite the recent changes, flights still aren’t anywhere near perfect. A recent WestJet passenger called her experience dehumanizing given the treatment she received from another passenger, along with the entire flight team.
Another user on X recently posted his first class experience on a flight with American Airlines, and let’s just say, based on his posts, the seat looked far from an upgrade…
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On A Flight From Dallas to Grand Rapids, Michigan, An American Airlines Passenger Had A Person Reclined On His Lap In First-Class
American Airlines
After dropping an extra $500 to sit in first-class, this is not what X user @av_cova had in mind. In fact, the outcome was very much the opposite during his American Airlines flight from Dallas to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Posted on X, the passenger showed just how tight his seat was. Even for an economy ticket, this looked extremely uncomfortable.
He wrote on X, “First Class” Dude is in my lap.”
@av_cova told Fox News Digital he couldn’t even use his tray table during the two-hour flight, nor could he stand up. The passenger added, “I’m in 3C, so 2C is clearly broken. Get it fixed before someone else wastes a fortune on first class.”
American Airlines did respond to the post on X.
The airline wrote, “Keeping our planes in top-notch shape is always the goal. We’re sorry for this inconvenience and appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We’ll get this right over to the Maintenance folks for review. Our apologies again.”
The apology wasn’t good enough for the passenger who spent extra money to avoid such problems on the flight. At the very least, the person seated in front of him was sympathetic. The passenger added, “No matter how I positioned myself, the seat was still against my knees. The gentleman in the seat in front of me was very sympathetic, but he was unable to get the seat to lock forward, as it was inoperable.”
Fox News Digital revealed the passenger was not given a refund, nor did he receive any type of perk from the airline.
Given the updated refund rules, the passenger might have a case to get his money back.
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Airlines Recently Revised Ruling With Automatic Refunds, Which Includes Cabin Downgrades
View of plane interior from window seat
The days of filing paperwork are in the past. US airlines are now required to give out automatic refunds, which also includes domestic delays over 3 hours, and international delays of 6 hours. Passengers are thrilled over this revised rule, making the process of a refund that much quicker.
In relation to the revised ruling, the American Airlines passenger might have a case as “downgraded cabins” is also part of the refund rule.
The automatic refunds refund includes:
- Flight cancelation
- Domestic flight delayed more than three hours
- International flight delayed more than six hours
- Departure or arrival changes
- *Cabin downgraded
- Airlines fail to provide Wi-Fi or seat selection despite paying for additional service
- Connections increase
There are other rules, however, in which an automatic refund won’t be given. They include:
- Personal reasons
- Being late for your flight
- Sickness
- Weather or natural disasters
- Air traffic and safety or security issues
The passenger confirmed he didn’t get any type of refund from American Airlines, despite the apology.