“SNL” alum Jim Breuer has slammed American Airlines, claiming he and his wife were suddenly downgraded from first class to economy class just before boarding.
The 58-year-old comedian said in a YouTube video that his ordeal began when he and his wife decided to “splurge” on a first-class flight, booking a round-trip flight from Florida to visit their daughter, who was doing an internship in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The outbound flight was uneventful, but the flight home turned into a nightmare.
The Breuers were scheduled to return to Florida in first class after a short layover in Arizona, and had pre-ordered their meals.
The “Half Baked” actor said he was spotted arriving at the gate by an airline pilot who wasn’t scheduled to fly the plane before boarding.
A few minutes later, as he and his wife were preparing to board, they were suddenly downgraded to economy.
Breuer said the airline offered him a $500 voucher and a $400 refund as compensation, but he considered it extortion.
“This is terrible, because from my perspective, you stole from me. You stole my ticket, you stole my money,” he said. “An American Airlines employee stole it from me.”
“So you can see that you can book any ticket you want on American Airlines, and they’re fine with letting their employees sit, and then they lie to your face that they’re overbooked, and they won’t give you anything at all,” he added.
Breuer claimed the pilot “stole” his seat and likened the ordeal to having his wallet stolen.
The stand-up comic also slammed American Airlines for not calling him back, claiming he reached out multiple times to vent his grievances and didn’t want an “AI apology.”
“I need someone to call me and say, ‘Hey, how can I make it up to you?'” he said.
Breuer joked that he could settle for two one-way first-class tickets anywhere in the country.
His ordeal seems to have struck a nerve with his followers, who were quick to take the comedian’s side.
“I’ve flown 1.5 million miles with American Airlines and they treated me like trash. Loyalty is a one-way street with American Airlines. So sad,” one user shared.
“I’m glad you have a way to vent to millions of people. The rest of us are just going to get screwed. Good restraint!!” another person wrote.
“Literally, the American Airlines lawsuit over improper refunds and involuntary downgrades for canceled flights is happening in 2024!” another pointed out.
Under a 2023 agreement with the United Pilots Association, American Airlines gives dead-end pilots — pilots who travel as passengers to and from missions — priority upgrades to first class, often over top loyal members.
Deadheading pilots are moved to the top of the upgrade list within 24 hours of departure to ensure they are rested for later flights.
