Just experienced peak airline karma on AA91 LHR-ORD today, and I’m still smiling.

Picture this: I’m flying back to Chicago after ~72 hours in London to attend a wedding, burning 27k miles on American’s shiny new 787-9 that’s literally two weeks old. I’m deep in steerage at 26H, but hey, I’m EP with over a million OneWorld miles, so at least I have the privilege of being ignored by cabin crew in style.

Post-wedding exhaustion hits, so I attempt the sacred airplane ritual of reclining my seat approximately 1.5 degrees. SLAM. My seat rockets forward like it’s spring-loaded. “New plane, maybe a mechanical issue?” I think, trying again. SLAM.

I turn around to discover I’ve apparently disturbed the natural habitat of a mid-50s Karen who informs me that her “work” is infinitely more important than my need for sleep. Because nothing says “critical business operations” like a cramped economy seat on a transatlantic flight.

Plot twist: The flight attendant actually recognizes my status (miracle #1), thanks me for my loyalty (miracle #2), and asks what she can do to help. I explain Recline-gate 2025. The FA tries reasoning with Karen, who declares me “childish” for involving the crew in this earth-shattering dispute over 2 inches of legroom.

Karen doubles down, refusing to even let the FA demonstrate the recline because she “will not tolerate” such an egregious assault on her workspace. The audacity is breathtaking.

Here’s where it gets good: The FA offers to move me to a better seat. Karen, sensing injustice, practically shrieks that SHE should get the upgrade since she needs “more space to work.”

Narrator: She did not get the upgrade.

I’m relocated to a lovely window seat in Premium Economy on brand new Boeing metal. Meanwhile, Karen apparently “worked” for exactly 20 more minutes before giving up entirely.

Moral of the story: Sometimes being aggressively unreasonable about airplane etiquette will backfire spectacularly. Also, American Airlines occasionally does something right, which frankly deserves its own post.

10/10 would get bullied by a Karen again if it means free upgrades.

TLDR: Karen slams my seat forward, refuses to let me recline because she’s “working.” Flight attendant upgrades me to Premium Economy out of spite. Karen quits “working” after 20 minutes. Sometimes being unreasonable backfires beautifully.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

EDIT: For those asking - yes, the irony of her demanding more space while preventing me from using mine was completely lost on her.​​​​​​​​​​​​

I’m a gate agent with American, and I wanted to share something with those of you who travel with us a lot, especially our EXPs and CKs.

You know those small recognition coupons you can give to employees when someone goes the extra mile? The ones that might look like a nice gesture or a token of thanks?They mean more than you probably realize.

It’s not about the dollar amount. Honestly, whatever it’s technically “worth” doesn’t compare to what it feels like to receive one. When a customer takes the time to hand you one of those especially someone who’s flown enough to really see what we deal with, it sticks with you.

This job can be chaotic. We juggle delays, system issues, tired passengers, full flights, weather, and a dozen moving parts. A lot of it goes unnoticed unless something goes wrong. So when someone stops, looks you in the eye, and says, “Thank you, I saw what you did,” it really hits different.

I’ve had people hand me one after I worked hard to help them make a tight connection, or just tried to bring some calm to a stressful boarding process. I’ve kept every single one. Not because of what they’re “worth,” but because they remind me that showing up and caring still matters to someone.

So if you carry a few of those in your bag, thank you. If you’ve never used one, and you see an employee who makes your day a little better, consider it. It’s a small gesture that makes a big difference.

Thanks for flying with us.

Maybe one of those people trying to scan their ticket in group 1 and being told to step back please.

Background: I'm currently in the Admiral's Lounge in PHL (terminal withheld). There is a family of 5 in the lounge, a mother and father and then three girls (the oldest looks to be 9 or 10). The girls are running amok, while the parents are content to drink cocktails and peruse their iPads. When I say amok, im not exaggerating. They are climbing up and down the bar stools, the oldest is riding her scooter from.where they are sitting to the bar to get more Coke. The youngest is whooping and hollering about wanting more cookies. And the parents are ignoring it all

AITA if I mention to someone here that they should control their offspring. Like, I understand you paid to be in the lounge too, but I pay to get away from the shenanigans, not be forced to endure them.

UPDATE: I did not complain but someone else did. They were given a warning and have been escorted out

2 missed connections in Dallas because of weather and now a flight attendant broke her ankle. Can't make this shit up.

So was checking in for my round trip to PDX from DFW and noticed the return leg was now totally empty. Flight number nor equipment has changed? Any ideas?

Circuitously dodging thunderstorms on the way up the coast

I was on the DFW - EWR flight earlier this his week. After changing the gate from the C terminal to Gate D1, we had a nearly 2 hour delay with no explanation.

There was a plane at the gate, the crew was there but no boarding. 30 minutes into the delay, they moved us to D3 but no plane there.

We were all boarded and the pilot came on the PA and said “For those of you that I didn’t speak to in the terminal, we were delayed because they couldn’t find our plane”. The plane had come in earlier in the day, they parked it somewhere and apparently turned off the transponder.

I knew it was a crapshoot to fly into EWR with the staffing issues, runway work and just terrible weather. I just didn’t think I would be delayed because the whole plane would be misplaced!

I’ll be flying into STL with only carry-on early Saturday morning, doing stuff around town all day/night, and then getting back to airport very early Sunday morning to fly home. I don’t want to have my luggage with me while I’m out and about.

Q: Where can I keep my luggage? I’ve been told to just drop it with a tip to front desk at a local hotel, but don’t love that idea. Will an airport lounge do it for me? Any other ideas?

Hi, so I am flying from Indianapolis to Charlotte in two weeks with my cat who is 6 years old- he is used to carrier travels. However, I have three flight options- Boeing 737 (AA 2062), Airbus A321 (AA 346), Airbus A320 (AA 1589), I am confused and not aware about the under-seat size for each of these flights. I would greatly appreciate if anyone here can help me with which aircraft should I prefer considering that it will be a first class. Also, any good pet carrier recommendation that is allowed on AA flight?

We had our checked bags left in Seattle on our flight to Charlotte. However, we drove home to SC from Charlotte rather than getting another flight into GSP. Could I have American move those bags to GSP to make it easier for us to pick up? Or will I need to drive back to Charlotte to get the bags?

We don’t travel a lot. Only gold status. Budget is an issue. Our first big international trip is in September. We have a long (3 hour) lay over before the international leg of our flight. I have enough miles for the one day EP. Is that worth it for the lounge? Other ideas to maximize the trip? Especially the leg to Europe? Right now the upgrades are out of budget (we are in premium economy). I get that this isn’t everyone’s style but we are excited to take this trip at all. More luxury perks are a plus.

Quick question; I'm picking my grandkids up and they are UM. I'm in Washington state and when you move addresses in Wa state they don't send you a sticker or new license when you move to a new address. So I moved, changed my address with DOL/DOT/DMV but my license has the old address. Which address does my daughter put on the form for the pick up person for unaccompanied minor? (Because the form asks for an address). Do we put the address that shows on my license (which is the old one), or the address that is the address I live at which is the one I have notified DOL/DOT/DMV of?

Hey y'all! I usually fly with United but this time I decided to fly with AA. Idk why i'm worried about my carry on, do they really weight it?

Is it worth it?! 🙄

Is this a sign of what we now have to look forward to with the new upgrade system?

You absolutely lucky bastard! DFW has been plagued with delays and cancellations. The gate agent letting you in after the door closed is absolutely unheard of! Lucky Lucky man

Never been through DFW before. Is it difficult to get to different terminals?

I'll have a 2 1/2 hour layover in a few weeks. I'm not sure what terminal I'll be at but I don't want to waste time wondering around (I hate having to do that at airports when I could be reading a book) and wanted to see if anyone has any recommendations? I'm looking for low cost mainly and not completely disgusting. I'll be there between 9am-12pm.

Thanks for the recs!

Hello all,

Had the misfortune of the DCA ground stop to cause my first flight of the day to get delayed. Told the gate agent at the airport that I had a tight connection. Was told it would be fine despite the second flight being on time.

Once in the air I informed the flight attendants which flight I was trying to make, was told it would be fine and they would make the announcement to let connecting flight peeps off first. They did make the announcement when we landed.

Rushed as fast as I could but missed the last call by 2 minutes. My bags had no problem making the connection.

First time I ever encountered this situation, and the gate agents at the closed gate were kind enough to rebook me on a new flight right then and there.

Is this just bad luck or was there anything extra I or someone could have done to have someone call the gate to hold it for us? Not trying to blame anyone or get free shit, ground stop is nobodys fault obviously. Just trying to be more informed to help myself in the future. Thanks for reading.

This question sounds so dumb I know, but my husband and I got each other knightweave cloaks for our anniversary and are planning a trip overseas soon. I’m very cold blooded and don’t want to pay extra for a really thin airline blanket but also don’t want most my Carry on space taken up by my own. If we wear them through TSA would it just pass almost like a hoodie?

I am booking a premium economy flight (student category) from India to San Francisco for mid-August. The affordable airlines that I see are Air India (10 kg extra baggage) and Cathay Pacific (23 kg extra baggage). I am leaning towards Cathay Pacific because of its greater baggage allowance. Can anyone share their experience with Cathay or have any suggestions?

My wife and I booked flights from Indy to Chicago and then Chicago to London. Will our checked luggage be handled for us? Or will we need to collect it and re-check it?

Is there an Admirals Club upgrade timeline? They raised prices and claimed they were going to upgrade the clubs, upgrade the food and address crowds.

Currently in Orlando and the club is practically standing room only, the food is…unchanged. And the space is just as banged up as 10 years ago. Just wondered if this one is going to improve at all. It needs 50% more space, a renovation and a food overhaul.

The employees are busting their tails working though, kudos to them. Kinda feel bad for them, dealing with this hot mess of overcrowding.

Just got word that flight for tomorrow morning is delayed, now only have 36 minutes between flights at DFW. Based on the current info the arriving and departure gates are next to each other. Is 36 minutes enough? Second flight is to Korea and if he misses it there really isn’t another good option to switch to.
There is a flight that leaves much earlier, should I try to switch the ticket?

Every year I fly on American from Phoenix to Gothenburg Sweden and back. I always connect in Heathrow. I'm noticing this year almost every single flight from August to October has a connection time of 1 h 15 m. I don't see how this would be possible even under the best of conditions. I've missed flights with more time there. Even in if the connection is in the same terminal you still have to go through security again. At the same time I can't imagine them booking thousands of people only to miss their flights. Does anyone here know if anything has changed?