SNL alum Jim Breuer slammed American Airlines after claiming he and his wife were suddenly downgraded from first class to economy moments before boarding.
The 58-year-old comedian said the ordeal started when he and his wife decided to “splurge” on first-class tickets to visit their daughter during her internship in Honolulu, Hawaii, flying from Florida with a return trip booked as well, he said in a YouTube video.
While the trip out went off without a hitch, their return flight turned into a nightmare.
Breuer and his wife were set to fly first class all the way back to Florida after a brief layover in Arizona — even pre-ordering their meal.
The “Half Baked” actor said he spotted airline pilots who were not scheduled to fly the plane arriving at the gate before boarding.
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.
