Airline Passengers for Justice

A Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards member has claimed she was humiliated by an airline agent after she was asked if she could fit into the seat. The traveler, Linda Hyde, spoke with the Miami Herald and noted she travels multiple times a year with the airline, and that the airline representative's question was due to a Customer of Size policy implemented earlier this year. Under the new policy, if an airline employee is unable to determine whether an individual traveler can fit in a seat by 'eyeballing', that passenger may be asked to purchase the adjacent seat. During the questioning at Miami International Airport (MIA), Hyde explained that she was able to fit into one seat, and that from other recent trips, irrespective of her size, it had not been an issue. The gate agent stood firm and explained that Hyde would be required to purchase the adjacent seat. Hyde, who is the president of the American Association of Private Lenders, was furious and sent emails to the airline, US Department Of Transportation, and Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, requesting that the airline take accountability for this form of conduct. Additionally, Hyde has asked for a formal apology from the country's largest low-cost carrier. Read more here: simpleflying.com/southwest-airl…

"The true cost of an airline delay — or the delay tax — isn’t always about business-class travelers missing high-stakes meetings. Sometimes it’s just people like you and me trying to hold together plans, budgets and expectations in a system built to offer vouchers instead of accountability from airlines." Read more here: seattletimes.com/life/travel/wh…

Another passenger, Paul Rodgers, said he and a group of friends were returning from a European cruise and trying to make it back to Texas for their grandchildren’s graduation ceremonies. But the delays may cause them to miss important the important family events. “It just was very disorganized," Rodgers said. "We asked them for an option for a hotel — they said, 'No, you’re on your own.'” “We’ll try to salvage what we can, hopefully make the graduation parties,” he added. Travelers said spending that much time stranded on the tarmac was unacceptable, and are now calling for greater accountability from airlines over tarmac delays in general. “I just feel so sorry for things my friends are gonna miss. We're going to miss graduations, track meets, events. All we have but once in a lifetime,” Rodgers said. Read more here: nbcnewyork.com/new-jersey/pas…

Several new airline travel rules that went into effect this year could cause disruptions for passengers boarding flights this summer 👇 wsmv.com/2026/05/19/new…

Spirit's May 3 demise is not the only curveball confronting people planning trips a week before the summer travel season has its traditional U.S. launch on Memorial Day. Rising jet fuel costs tied to the Iran war have pushed up airfares and associated fees across the commercial aviation industry. Two of the remaining U.S. budget carriers just finalized a merger. Read more here: pbs.org/newshour/econo…

An @AlaskaAir passenger is suing the airline after she says one of its planes suddenly dove 200 feet in severe turbulence — slamming her head and the bodies of other passengers into the cabin’s ceiling even though they were wearing seatbelts. oregonlive.com/travel/2026/05…

When airlines fail, passengers pay the price. Congress should bring back the rule that helps consumers. elliott.org/blog/spirit-ai…

Delta can afford to pay their CEO $27 million. But a complimentary water bottle is where they draw the line.

The budget-friendly carrier's sudden suspension of all operations marks the first time in 25 years a major U.S. airline has shut down. A massive spike in fuel costs due to the Iran War was the final blow for Spirit. people.com/spirit-airline…

JetBlue accused of using personal data to hike ticket prices nypost.com/2026/04/23/bus…

No passenger wants to be the one waiting at the baggage carousel when it slowly comes to a halt — without their bag on it. Read more here: dailypassport.com/u-s-airlines-m…

DOT waives remaining $162,000 fine against Frontier Airlines for chronically delayed and canceled flights. Previously fines waived against Southwest Airlines for 2022 meltdowns stranding several million over Christmas.

Total US airline expenses $228 billion in 2025, gross revenue $239 billion of which $28 billion was from sales of frequent flyer miles to credit card companies

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) & Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) announce bipartisan probe of potential United Airlines - American Airlines merger "Merger could lead to increased prices for consumers, at a time when airlines are already squeezing flyers through higher fares and fees.”

United Airlines merger with American Airlines would hurt consumers, senators say. cbsn.ws/3OQJ9Cc

Airline passengers are feeling the pain in rising fees, as the war in Iran weighs on the price of jet fuel and The Big Airlines look to squeeze every last dime out of their customers. Read more here: nytimes.com/2026/04/21/tra…

OMG air travel complaints soared from 4500 in Oct to 29,000 in Dec 2025. Confirming FlyersRights contention that air travel in crisis under leadership of @SecDuffy

Bottom line- airlines pay very low taxes and would be unprofitable but for fees and credit card income that comes indirectly from passengers paying high interest rates up to 29%. Passengers also pay far more taxes than airlines to the federal government.

United Airlines paid $0 income tax in 2025 on $4.3 billion in profits, Southwest $0 on $560 billion profit. Only Delta paid $1.2 billion on $6.2 billion profit. Passengers pay about 22% ticket taxes or $20 billion but airline fees are untaxed.

Executive compensation now topped $100 million in 2025 with United Scott Kirby receiving over $30 million.