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Former “Saturday Night Live” star Jim Breuer recently expressed his frustration with American Airlines after alleging that he and his wife were unexpectedly moved from first class to economy just before boarding their flight.
The 58-year-old comedian recounted in a YouTube video how he and his wife decided to treat themselves to first-class tickets for a trip to visit their daughter, who is interning in Honolulu, Hawaii. The journey was planned to start from Florida, with first-class accommodations included for the return leg as well.
While the outbound journey proceeded smoothly, the return flight turned into a distressing experience.
Breuer explained that he and his wife were scheduled to travel first class all the way back to Florida, with a short stopover in Arizona, and had even placed their meal orders in advance.
Before boarding, the “Half Baked” star noticed pilots, not on the roster to operate the flight, arriving at the gate, adding to the confusion of the situation.
Minutes later, as he and his wife were getting ready to board, they were abruptly downgraded to economy.
Breuer said the airline offered a $500 voucher and a $400 refund as compensation, but he viewed it as the airline “stole” from him.
“This is foul because the way I see it, you stole from me. You stole my ticket, you stole my money,” he said. “An American Airlines employee stole from me.”
“So, this shows me you can book any ticket on American Airlines and they have no problem putting one of their employees in your seat and then lie to your face and say it was overbooked and offer absolutely nothing,” he added.
Breuer claimed the pilots “stole” his seats and compared the ordeal to having his wallet stolen.
The stand-up comic further blasted American Airlines for never calling him back, claiming he reached out multiple times to air out his grievances and did not want an “AI apology.”
“I need a human being to call me and go, ‘hey man, how can we make this up to you,’” he said.
Breuer joked that two one-way first-class tickets anywhere in the country would settle the score.
His ordeal appeared to strike a nerve with followers, who quickly sided with the comedian.
“I’ve flown 1.5 million miles on American Airlines and they’ve generally treated me like garbage. Loyalty is a one way street with American Airlines. Very sad,” one user shared.
“I’m glad you have a way to vent to millions of people. The rest of us just get screwed. Good restraint!!” another wrote.
“There’s literally a 2024 American Airlines lawsuit over inadequate refunds for canceled flights and involuntary downgrading!” another pointed out.
American Airlines gives deadheading pilots — those traveling as passengers to or from assignments — priority for first-class upgrades, frequently ahead of top loyalty members, under the 2023 Allied Pilots Association contract.
Deadheading pilots move to the top of the upgrade list within 24 hours of departure to ensure they are rested for later flights.