Latest news with #AmericanAirlines
Mint
6 hours ago
- Mint
Kansas man arrested for dragging American Airlines flight attendant up the aisle mid-air, faces up to 20 years in jail
A 24-year-old man from Kansas has been arrested for assaulting an American Airlines flight attendant on board, reports quoting prosecutors have said. According to a report by The New York Post, the man, identified as Julius Jordan Priester assaulted the flight attendant after ripping off his shirt. He allegedly threw the employee to the ground and dragged them up the aisle, as per the report quoting prosecutors. Priester, a 24-year-old resident of Wichita, boarded the American Airlines flight from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut. The Department of Justice said he was arrested and charged for assaulting the cabin crew member. The incident happened at around 10 pm when the Chicago-bound flight was mid-air, The Post reported, resulting in chaos. 'Thirty minutes to an hour into the flight, Priester stood up, began to take off his shirt, then ran to the back of the plane yelling 'Help me,'' United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut David Sullivan was quoted as saying. Priester then grabbed the victim who was seated, forcefully bringing them to the ground. 'He then grabbed a flight attendant ('the victim'), who was seated, shouted, 'You're coming with me,' and forcefully brought the victim to the ground,' Sullivan said. The attacker tried to drag the cabin crew member up the aisle but was stopped by passengers who rushed to save the employee. Sullivan's office further added that Priester continued to shout incoherent comments even after passengers helped him get seated. American Airlines issued a statement regarding the matter, lauding its cabin crew members for their assistance. 'We do not tolerate violence, and we thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their assistance,' it said. However, the incident forced the pilot to divert the plane back to Bradley after the captain declared an emergency. Following the safe touchdown of the flight, Connecticut State Police arrived onboard to arrest Priester, who was then taken to a hospital for evaluation. Prosecutors have also revealed that Priester already has a criminal history in Kansas, with charges including that of an aggravated assault. He is currently in police custody and will be produced at the court soon. Priester can face imprisonment for up to 20 years with charges of interfering with flight crew members and attendants. The condition of the affected flight attendant has not been revealed.
Washington Post
6 hours ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Flight deal experts spot a surprise upcharge: Flying solo
Deciphering airfares often feels like a puzzle, and travel experts have revealed a new layer: airlines appear to be charging individual passengers more than groups for seats on identical flights. This week, Thrifty Traveler executive editor Kyle Potter was searching for airfare for a trip with his wife when he noticed something unusual. His Delta Air Lines airfare for one person was $206, but the price for two was $154 each. He assumed it was a glitch, or a mistake on his part. He checked his dates and the fare type. The same results appeared. 'It became clear after double checking and rerunning the search several times that Delta was charging me more because I was searching for just one passenger rather than two,' Potter said. Potter's team at Thrifty Traveler, a travel deal and news site, looked at hundreds of fares this week and concluded that Delta, United Airlines and American Airlines were listing higher ticket prices on some routes for solo passengers than for a pair or group fares. They published their findings Thursday. In one example, they found that a one-person fare from Chicago-O'Hare to Peoria, Ill., on United was $269, while the price dropped to $181 per person when booked for two or more passengers. That doesn't mean all travelers will notice a discrepancy. The findings aren't universal; as the report said: 'you won't see it on each and every route.' In a random sampling of about a dozen domestic and international flights on Friday, The Washington Post found the same fare for one, two or four passengers. In a few instances, prices were slightly lower for a larger group of travelers. 'This fits in with the frustration that I think a lot of everyday Americans have, which is just how low can airlines go to nickel and dime us?' Potter said. On Friday afternoon, Thrifty Traveler said Delta removed the higher fares for single travelers, citing 'a person with knowledge of that action.' A spokesperson for Delta declined to comment to The Post on airfare pricing and the reported shift. United and American did not respond to requests for comment. Potter said he also was also unable to get the airlines to go on the record regarding the discovery. Airlines use dynamic pricing algorithms that adjust airfare according to real-time and historic booking data. Demand, distance, your itinerary and cabin class can influence changes. And different seat types come with different prices, as seats are divided into various reservation booking designators (RBDs), or 'fare buckets.' 'Airline prices can vary by number of travelers, but the differences aren't consistent or clearly tied to group size,' a spokesperson for the travel booking company Kayak said in an email. 'KAYAK data shows no clear trend regardless of number of travelers — it's important to note that the examples in the [Thrifty Traveler] article involve one-way fares on a few uncommon routes, not round-trip tickets.' It's unclear how long airlines have charged varying rates by passenger number, or when the tactics are applied. The Post confirmed this pricing structure is not new for Delta. But it's new to some airfare experts beyond Potter. Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, said historically airlines have charged more for multiple tickets. While he hasn't personally seen a price change for solo versus multiple passengers, 'my understanding is that this new pricing is not new,' he said in an email. Kelly said American Airlines rolled out these types of fares months ago, and Delta and United have recently started to copy the approach. The Thrifty Traveler team also conducted searches on JetBlue, Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines, but did not find similar examples. However, they couldn't rule out other airlines haven't used the pricing tactic as the company doesn't have a systematic way to scan all available airfares. 'We have searched hundreds of fares, but there are millions of fare combinations,' Potter said. 'It's very possible that [other airlines] are also doing this; we just haven't caught it yet.' Scott Keyes, founder of the flight deal company Going, said the pricing strategy is 'new and different.' 'The fact that it's on the three biggest full-service carriers is certainly eye-catching,' he said. Keyes thinks this is a strategy for airlines targeting business travelers, who make up the majority of the solo traveler market and are less price sensitive than leisure customers. Keyes noted that other industries use similar pricing strategies, offering discounts for buying in bulk or offering discounts for couples and families. 'Solo vacationers are innocent bystanders in this whole saga,' Keyes said. 'I think it's clear that calling it surge pricing for solo travelers feeds into a sort of well-established negativity bias that we have,' he added. Potter disagrees. With bulk pricing, customers are often aware of discounts, Potter said, whereas airlines appear to be hiding the price disparity. 'I just need to stress that this is not a discount for group travel; it is a price increase for solo travel,' he said. Since his discovery, Potter said he's changing the way he searches for flights. He booked a work trip on Thursday, and even though he's traveling solo, he compared the fares for multiple passengers 'to check if I was getting hosed,' he said. 'I wasn't in that particular case, but it's on my mind now, that's for sure.'
News18
11 hours ago
- News18
Should Airlines Penalise Travellers Who Stand As Soon As The Plane Lands?
Last Updated: To boost safety and curb 'aisle lice,' Turkey's aviation authority is cracking down on passengers who stand up too early. Why are people always in a hurry? Chances are you've noticed this, or maybe you've even been guilty of it. The moment the plane lands, and before the seatbelt sign turns off, some passengers are already up, scrambling for their bags and edging towards the door as if it's a sprint. It's annoying. It carries some risk. And in Turkey, it could soon come with a fine. The Washington Post reports that Turkish aviation authorities are cracking down on passengers who stand up too early. Those who jump the gun or cause congestion in the aisles while waiting to leave the plane could now face penalties. While some welcome this move as a way to restore cabin order, others find it a bit harsh. Regardless, the new rule is making travellers think twice and encouraging safer behaviour for everyone's benefit. To curb impatient passengers, Turkey's civil aviation authority is taking a stricter stance on those who stand up before it's allowed. According to a notice cited by The Washington Post, the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation urged, 'Please do not unfasten your seatbelt, stand up, or open the overhead compartments until the seatbelt sign has been switched off." 'It is strictly forbidden to stand up, open overhead compartments, or be present in the aisle before the aircraft has reached its parking position and the seatbelt sign has been turned off," the notice adds. While the behaviour might seem like a small inconvenience, authorities highlight that it poses genuine safety risks. If a plane comes to an abrupt stop, standing passengers could lose balance and fall. Opening overhead compartments too soon might cause luggage to tumble out and injure someone. And congested aisles could slow down or obstruct emergency evacuations when time is critical. What Are The Stricter Deplaning Rules? Under the newly enforced rules, passengers must remain seated until the aircraft has come to a complete stop, the seatbelt sign is turned off, and the rows ahead have begun disembarking. Airlines operating within Turkey are now required to update their standard in-flight announcements, reminding passengers to stay seated. Additionally, the Turkish aviation authority has reportedly instructed airlines to have flight crews report any travellers who unbuckle early or crowd the aisles before it's safe to do so. The Aisle Rush Problem Turkey's strict measures may seem harsh, but they tap into a widespread annoyance with a certain type of traveller, often referred to as 'aisle lice." The term describes those overly eager passengers who leap into the aisle the moment the plane touches down, hoping to exit before anyone else. It's the in-flight cousin of 'gate lice," a nickname for travellers who swarm the boarding area long before their group is called. In response to similar issues, American Airlines has now started testing new tech that notifies both passengers and gate agents when someone tries to board ahead of their turn.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Marine restrains man allegedly trying to open plane's emergency exit during flight
A U.S. Marine heading back to the states from Tokyo, Japan, quickly stepped in and slammed a man to the ground and restrained him with zip ties after he allegedly grabbed the emergency exit door in the middle of a flight, according to reports. NBC reported Sergeant Major Jody Armentrout was on Flight 114 from Tokyo to Houston when he saw a man acting suspiciously. Armentrout, who has been in the Marines over 20 years, is stationed in Japan, and he told the media company he witnessed a suspicious man take his backpack to one bathroom before going from bathroom to bathroom. "He came out of that one and began pacing up and down the aisle, so that just threw my radar on," the 50-year-old Marine reportedly said during a phone interview. American Airlines Passenger Restrained, Knocked To Floor While Barging Into Cockpit: Video Armentrout said the man was looking at the emergency exit door next to him, and that's when the Marine quickly got up and placed himself between the man and the door. Read On The Fox News App The suspicious man turned around and ran around the plane before darting to an exit door on the opposite side of the aircraft. Armentrout told the station he only had seconds to act. Woman Climbs Onto Wing Of Alaska Airlines Plane At Seattle Airport Due To 'Anxiety' "He grabbed a strap around the door, pulled it off and about that time is when I took him and slammed him, put him on the ground," he said. "And then there was an older gentleman sitting on that side that woke up, and he got up and kind of helped me." Flight attendants also stepped in and handed the marine zip ties, which he reportedly used to restrain the man's wrists and secure him to a seat. For the remainder of the flight, Armentrout sat next to the man. The flight was diverted to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Enraged Passenger Unloads Flurry Of Punches On Airport Worker, Wild Video Shows "His eyes … you could definitely tell there was something going on," Armentrout said. FBI Seattle confirmed the incident, saying it, along with the Port of Seattle Police Department, responded to All Nippon Flight 114 Saturday morning. "The flight was diverted to Seattle due to a passenger attempting to open the exit doors mid-flight," FBI Seattle said. "The crew and passengers restrained the individual, who was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation after the flight landed. The FBI also said a second individual was removed from the flight after becoming frustrated with the flight diversion and punching a bathroom door. American Airlines Passenger Who Helped Restrain Unruly Traveler Says Situation Was 'Fight Or Flight' The flight continued to its destination after its stop in Seattle and landed in Houston without further incident. No charges have been filed in the incident, the FBI said. Prosecutors are reviewing reports and witness statements to determine if the case is appropriate for federal prosecution. All Nippon Airways told Fox News Digital the flight was diverted due to an "unruly" passenger. "While on the tarmac in Seattle, a second passenger became unruly," the airline said. "Both were removed from the flight by the Port of Seattle Police. "The safety of our passengers and crew are our top priority, and we applaud the efforts of local law enforcement for their support."Original article source: Marine restrains man allegedly trying to open plane's emergency exit during flight
NDTV
15 hours ago
- NDTV
US Man Charged For Assaulting American Airlines Flight Attendant In Mid-Air Meltdown
A 24-year-old Kansas man has been charged after he allegedly grabbed a flight attendant and dragged her up the aisle of a Chicago-bound flight, leaving from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut. The Department of Justice said Julius Jordan Priester was arrested and charged with assaulting the cabin crew member. The incident took place on Tuesday (May 27) when the American Airlines flight was over 30 minutes into the journey, according to a report in the New York Pos t. United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut David Sullivan said Priester stood up, started taking off his shirt and ran to the back of the plane yelling, "Help me". He added that Priester then grabbed a flight attendant, who was seated, and shouted, 'You're coming with me,' and forcefully brought the victim to the ground. As the kerfuffle ensued, several passengers intervened and managed to subdue Priester, bringing him back to his seat in the process. Although he continued acting erratically and making incoherent statements, the authorities added. Priester arrested The plane was diverted back to Bradley after the captain declared an emergency. As the plane safely touched down, Connecticut State Police arrived onboard and arrested Priester, who was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. The condition of the flight attendant, whose identity has not been disclosed, remains unknown. Meanwhile, American Airlines issued a statement, lauding the flight crew for their reaction to the incident. 'We do not tolerate violence, and we thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their assistance,' the statement said. Prosecutors revealed that Priester already has a criminal history in Kansas, including an aggravated assault charge. Priester remains in police custody with a court hearing lined up. The charges of interfering with flight crew members and attendants carries a maximum term of 20 years of imprisonment.
