SNL Alum Slams American Airlines for Allegedly Giving His First Class Seat to Pilot, Downgrading Him to Coach

[Coventina]

Comedian Jim Breuer is calling out American Airlines for allegedly giving away his first class seats so a pilot could sit there instead.

In a Feb. 18 video shared to his YouTube account, Breuer explains that he and his wife were coming back from a trip to Honolulu, where they visited their daughter, who has an externship there for school.

The Saturday Night Live alum said that because it was a long journey from their home base in Florida, and since he was about to go on tour for three months, they decided to “splurge” on round-trip, first class tickets for their flights.

While the flight there went smoothly, he said in the video that the issue occurred during a layover in Phoenix. (A representative for Breuer later clarified to PEOPLE that the incident occurred during his redeye flight from Honolulu to Phoenix.)

Continuing his story on Feb. 18, the comedian said that while he and his wife were waiting to board their flight at the airport, they saw a “crew of American Airlines workers” arrive.

https://people.com/snl-alum-slams-american-airlines-for-allegedly-giving-away-his-first-class-seat-for-pilot-11912500#comments

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If I had splurged on two first class tickets and been given a measley $500 voucher in return (First class between Honolulu to Phoenix)
I'd be pissed!

I just checked and two first class tickets on that flight cost $2020!!!!

[eppur_se_muova]

1. I can understand him being MAH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AH-AHD about that ! nt

[viva la]

2. I once was asked midflight to give up my first-class seat (bought with points) to a physician.

The woman next to me was having an asthma attack-- a bad one-- and the physician had volunteered to monitor her and help her.

I did give up my seat (of course), but probably wouldn't for a crew member. They're getting paid... I'm paying.

I went back and took the physician's seat next to his wife. She said this had happened before, and it was just part of the "benefit" of marrying a medical person!

[PatSeg]

16. Yes, giving up your seat for a doctor

was understandable, but for a crew member is just bad customer service.

So I take it that Jim Breuer and his wife must have been separated from him on top of losing his first class seat. Really tacky.

[viva la]

20. Tacky, yes!

And the amount offered in compensation was insulting.
I hate when they give you a "voucher" when after all, you paid cash.

[progressoid]

3. Breuer is a First Class Asshole.

[Coventina]

4. I know nothing of the man. Maybe he's lying? I don't even remember him from SNL.

But, having just been on a plane (I hate flying) something like this situation would have certainly made me angry.

[progressoid]

6. Yeah, it sucks what the airline did.

But I find it ironic that he got treated the same way he treats people in his "act." He likes to punch down.

If I remember correctly, he was pro-Trump for a long time. Then he suddenly decided that he was no longer pro Trump. I suspect it is most likely because he's no long getting the attention / money from pandering to the MAGA crowd.

[PatSeg]

17. And now he's getting a whole lot of press over

his first class seat. I Googled his name and came up with at least ten articles about his complaint. Maybe he needed some publicity?

[Renew Deal]

18. Examples?

[progressoid]

19. I'd rather not give him the clicks

But if you wanna search, try some of his material at the Reawaken America tour. It would get hidden here.

I have a vague memory of Sam Seder or somebody doing a review of his lame attempts to distance himself from his support of Trump.

[flvegan]

5. I can see this both ways, depending on the details.

First, yeah I'd be pissed too, if this is true. And I think he should be reimbursed for the difference between the ticket prices 100%, and it's shitty if the airline doesn't (imagine that, shitty airline behavior).

That said, why is that pilot flying on THAT flight? If they're flying him/her to another airport to fly another plane after they land, I'd also really want said pilot to be completely rested, and maybe the first class seat was the reasoning behind it.

First world problems, folks.

[LisaL]

7. Well, at the very least airline needs to refund the difference

between first class and coach.

[peacebuzzard]

8. probabilities are it was a contractual obligation to fly the pilot deadhead to assignment

Flying assignments require minimum rest before duty.

As for the inconvenienced passengers, in this case, a couple, I am sure they were presented with options: either a later flight or reimbursement, or both. They chose to fly, so you take what you can...if you need to get there.

That is what I would have done if I needed to get to my destination. Take a seat, any seat, and in this case, a compensation I am sure was given. It didn't make up for that 1st class dream in their heads, but you know what? Flying is uncomfortable in 1st as well as coach.

[msongs]

9. maybe pilots should be forced to fly coach so they can relate to passengers experience better nt

[JI7]

10. And what's that going to do ? Pilots need to focus on flying safely

[lame54]

11. Slow down your defense...

He's a Trumper
They should have put him in the wheel well

[Coventina]

12. I get that. But not refunding money for a product you paid for and didn't get

is not OK either.

[lame54]

13. As i said he's a trumper...

Don't believe his version of the story

[Coventina]

14. Point taken. n/t

[beaglelover]

15. It's one thing if he used miles to upgrade but if it's true that he paid cash for first class and they moved him

to coach to accomodate an EMPLOYEE, that is bullshit and another reason to never fly AA. If they must do this due to contract rules with the pilots union, then they need to immediately refund the airfare difference to the customer if they cannot accomodate them in first class on another later flight.