View from the Wing

Bankrupt Spirit Wants $87 Million For LaGuardia Flight Slots—But The Airport Says They’re Not Spirit’s To Sell

Gary Leff — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:04:03 +0000

Bankrupt Spirit Airlines is trying to turn its LaGuardia flight slots into $87 million, but the airport’s operator says the airline is trying to auction off rights that aren’t Spirit’s to sell. That sounds like a major problem—except FAA-approved slot sales are real, and LaGuardia still has to provide airport access on reasonable, non-discriminatory terms.

American Airlines Passenger Lunges Over The Seat And Attacks Man In The Row Ahead

Gary Leff — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:04:47 +0000

An American Airlines passenger says the woman seated behind him became erratic during descent, lunged over his seat, and slammed him into the cabin wall hard enough to knock off his glasses and possibly leave him unconscious. He is suing the alleged attacker directly, not American, while a related federal criminal case plays out first.

Comments

@George Nathan Romey — There he is… (all three names this ... by 1990
So in other words it's the airline's fault some lowlife nutjob ... by George Nathan Romey
@TexasTJ, @Retired Gambler, @George Romey, @George N Romey, ... by 1990
God I hate our civil justice system. Something happens and ... by Retired Gambler
“What I really like to see, though, is the attempt to hold ... by TexasTJ
Classic VFTW content! “I must say, damn good stuff, Sir.” ... by 1990

TSA Issues The Travel Warning Nobody Expected: Check Your Suitcase For A Cat Before You Zip It [Roundup]

Gary Leff — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:04:14 +0000

TSA has moved from “remove your laptop” to “remove your cat.” Before heading to the airport, check your suitcase for a feline stowaway. Plus Airbus a350 damaged during water cannon salute, Alaska award sale and points transfers, and draconion cancellation fees.

Comments

@Gene — I'm still a capitalist; I just want better consumer ... by 1990
@gene. Is all your investments and retirement funds NOT in any ... by Tomri
@ 1990 –Just imagina world where corporations do anything ... by Gene
@Retired Gambler — So, are you a mere corporate shill, or an ... by 1990
Duh – of course businesses are using AI (or any other tool) ... by Retired Gambler
So… TSA wants to see… your puss… by 1990

American Airlines Lounges Get An Upgrade: Menu Ordering, Cheese Carts And Bollinger

Gary Leff — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:46:26 +0000

Three weeks ago I revealed that American Airlines had brought restaurant-style ordering of hot food items to its Flagship lounges. American has now announced this change - along with several others.

Comments

@Gary Leff — But, but… Chelsea has faux fireplaces! LOL. by 1990
@1990 I disagree in Chelsea, no windows is a big deal and the ... by Gary Leff
Bollinger? That's news? My grandma would buy that at Costci. ... by Gene
@Gary Leff — 100%. That F side of the LHR T3 CX is one of the ... by 1990
In reply to 1990. @1990 yes and yes re LAX, MIA. I love sit ... by Gary Leff
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Delta Flight Argument Before Takeoff Gets Everyone Involved Kicked Off [Roundup]

Gary Leff — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:04:34 +0000

A Delta flight from St. Thomas to New York saw a pre-takeoff argument that ended with everyone involved kicked off the plane. Also: GHA Discovery offers paid elite status through 2027, Southwest blows up its succession plan, Alaska opens its new Portland lounge while cutting basic economy mileage earning,

Comments

@1990 – Pointing out the obvious and wanting to fix the ... by Michael Mainello
@George Nathan Romey — Why de-humanize others? Is that really ... by 1990
I guess the Spirit crowd had to go somewhere. They never can ... by George Nathan Romey
@Denver Refugee — Saw that update (on DEN) elsewhere and ... by 1990
Had to look, but right again. Darn Amish, they can't seem to ... by Michael Mainello
Plus 5 more...

Israeli Airline Passengers Were Dumped In Croatia After Slovenia Blocked Their Landing

Gary Leff — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:34:46 +0000

Passengers on an Israeli airline flight bound for Slovenia ended up in Croatia instead after Slovenian authorities refused to let the plane land, forcing travelers to continue by ground to Ljubljana - all on the last day of the outgoing Slovenia which has been anti-Israel, before a new friendlier government took power.

Comments

@stogieguy7 — You doin' the ole trope of conflating political ... by 1990
Leftist, pro-Hamas/rapist, antisemitic government is ousted and ... by stogieguy7
@Dude — I like it. Once things calm down over there, would ... by 1990
I’m here to see people dress up ugly antisemitism in new and ... by Thing 1
@ Mark Johnson “This is so funny. Ljubljana airport has 13 ... by isaac
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Airlines Are Using AI To Manufacture Empathy Instead Of Solving Problems — One Passenger Was Sent The Prompt By Mistake

Gary Leff — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:58:36 +0000

A Cathay Pacific passenger needed real help after a canceled flight, but the chat response exposed how airline customer service increasingly uses AI to manufacture empathy while failing to solve the real problem. The agent pasted the prompt instead of the reply, the instructions to acknowledge feelings, sound positive, and validate the customer.

Comments

@jack the ladd — It blows a lotta smoke up our a** … often ... by 1990
The we are so sorry BUT we will do nothing about it other than ... by Bbt
AI is more empathic than typical CS by jack the ladd
Alternate AI response Recent commentary concerning an airline ... by derek
AI response We would like to address recent reports regarding ... by derek
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Lufthansa 787 Drops Onto Its Nose Before Los Angeles Flight — Up To $200,000 In Passenger Compensation Owed

Gary Leff — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:14:57 +0000

A Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 bound for Los Angeles had its nose gear collapse or unexpectedly retract, injuring several employees. The flight was canceled, and passengers may now be eligible for EU261 compensation that could reach $200,000.

Comments

Most impacted passengers entitled to avail of EC261/2004 ... by GUWonder
Jimmy Stewart didn't happen to be in the cockpit, did he? Re: ... by pauldow
Uh oh…. looks like 'wrong hole' again ! by bossa
@AlanZ — Beautiful! Safe travels! I'm so pleased you were not ... by 1990
When a Boeing 787-9’s nose gear crashes onto the tarmac, do ... by Ken A
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Passenger Grooms Bare Feet At Airline Seat — Stop It. Just Cut It Out

Gary Leff — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:04:05 +0000

A passenger took off shoes and socks and began grooming bare feet right at an airline seat, treating the cabin like a private bathroom instead of shared space. The problem is not just that other passengers have to watch — it’s that aircraft seats, carpets and seatbacks are not deep-cleaned between every flight, and someone else is getting that same seat next.

Comments

Only thing I can think of is some kind of OCD? My ocd is taking ... by Spirit_Lives
You stop telling me what I must do on planes: put on a masks, ... by Mary
uuughh— no way. GROSS!!!!! Who does that??!!! by Claire
People are selfish disrespectful uncaring towards others. ... by Dena
I've always wondered about those kind of people… did they ... by Doug
Plus 4 more...

Delta Reveals That The Real Business Behind Free Wi-Fi Is Monetizing Your Whole Travel Day

Gary Leff — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:04:14 +0000

Delta is telling investors the real business behind free Wi-Fi: getting passengers logged in so the airline can turn the entire travel day into a commerce, content, loyalty, and advertising platform. The app, website, onboard Wi-Fi, seatback screens, Amex, Uber, Starbucks, Airbnb, Amazon, media partners, and Delta Concierge AI all keep customers inside Delta’s ecosystem long enough to monetize far more than the ticket.

Comments

Wow, @Mantis, with a rare decent 'take' on something (“they ... by 1990
for someone that can't understand either math or reading, let's ... by Tim Dunn
Reading challenged pilot: Never denied that United is ranked ... by Pilot Paul
United's on-time has been better every month than Delta in Q1 ... by rebel
Mantis Do you really think any internet you access doesn’t ... by Tim Dunn
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