FORT WORTH- A premium economy passenger on American Airlines (AA) was removed from flight AA106 from New York (JFK) to London Heathrow (LHR) after relocating an unclaimed overhead bag later discovered to belong to a crew member.
The incident involved JT Genter, a seasoned travel blogger, who says he faced what he describes as the most absurd situation of his travel experience. The confrontation escalated rapidly, leading to his removal from the international flight.
Photo: Clément AlloingAmerican Airlines Passenger Removed
Travel blogger JT Genter, known for his work at AwardWallet and for logging over two million flown miles, was traveling with his wife on June 9, 2025.
Upon boarding American Airlines flight AA106 from New York (JFK) to London (LHR), he found that the overhead bin space in premium economy was already full.
He attempted to rearrange some luggage to make room, but noticed one particularly oversized bag.
After confirming with nearby passengers that no one claimed the bag, JT moved it to the economy section to make space in the premium economy bin, which was clearly labeled as “reserved for premium economy.”
Shortly after, a crew member discovered the relocated bag and identified it as their own. A confrontation followed where the flight attendant accused JT of touching and moving his suitcase.
According to JT, this was the first time anyone had informed him that the bag belonged to a crew member.
He explained his reasoning, but the interaction quickly became hostile. One crew member reportedly pointed a finger in his face and said, “You’re outta here.”
Photo: Alan Wilson | FlickrCabin Crew and Supervisors
Two flight attendants returned to JT’s seat with the purser, demanding an explanation. Despite JT calmly reiterating that he had asked around before moving the bag and had no knowledge that it belonged to the crew, the flight attendants were adamant.
A supervisor was called, and JT was taken off the plane to discuss the incident. According to him, the supervisor initially acknowledged that it was an honest mistake and had no intention of removing him.
However, she later informed JT that the crew refused to fly unless he was removed.
Reported by OMAAT, JT recorded the entire interaction, and the supervisor allegedly admitted that it was the most unjust removal she had seen.
Though she rebooked him in premium economy on the next flight and offered first class, JT declined the latter due to the non-reclining seat.
Photo: By Colin Cooke Photo – https://www.flickr.com/photos/cooke1/51288345912/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114434877Airline Response
Following the incident, American Airlines (AA) issued a formal apology and offered JT 5,000 AAdvantage miles as compensation.
The airline acknowledged the poor customer service experience, stating, “We understand your disappointment. That’s never the kind of experience we want you to have when traveling with us.”
The incident raises broader concerns about the discretion granted to cabin crews and the balance between safety, authority, and customer service.
American Airlines reportedly introduced procedures in late 2024 to curb unnecessary passenger removals, but this case suggests those policies may not be effectively enforced.
Photo: N720AN – Boeing 777-323(ER) – American Airlines | Los Angele… | FlickrDe-escalation Practices
While some might argue that JT should not have moved an unmarked bag across cabins, the absence of de-escalation from the crew is being widely criticized.
JT didn’t display aggression, and his actions seemed rooted in practicality rather than defiance. Critics argue that certain crew members interpret customer behavior as insubordination, using their authority to escalate rather than resolve conflicts.
The incident also illustrates the fragility of the passenger crew dynamic on US carriers, where some flight attendants appear to exercise disproportionate control during minor disputes.
According to industry watchers, this reflects a deeper issue with training and attitude among a minority of crew members, which airlines must address to ensure both safety and service quality.
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