independent.co.uk
Airline Passenger Complaints: Recliners and Manspreading
Two incidents highlight passenger frustrations with airline seating issues: a broken seat recliner in first class and a cramped middle seat due to manspreading.
- How did American Airlines respond to the passenger's complaint about the malfunctioning seat?
- The passenger had paid an extra \$500 for the first-class seat and was unsatisfied with the airline's response to his complaint, which was that the seat was broken due to being on an old airplane.
- What were the main complaints of the passengers in the two incidents described in the article?
- A passenger on an American Airlines flight complained about a malfunctioning seat recliner in first class that reclined so far back that his knees were touching the seat in front of him.
- What is the broader significance of these incidents, and what do they suggest about passenger experiences on airlines?
- Another recent incident on TikTok showed a woman in a middle airplane seat extremely uncomfortable because of two men on either side of her who spread out their legs, making her feel cramped. This went viral, receiving over 20 million views.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the incidents as examples of poor customer service by airlines and disregard for passenger comfort. It highlights the frustration and inconvenience experienced by the passengers without fully exploring the systemic reasons or other perspectives.
Language Bias
The article uses emotive language such as \"awful\", \"f***ed\", and \"wasted a fortune\" to evoke sympathy for the passenger. This subjective language shapes the reader's perception of American Airlines' service.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the negative experiences of passengers, without mentioning any counterarguments or evidence that American Airlines takes measures to address this sort of issues. It omits the perspective of American Airlines' maintenance and the efforts they make to maintain their fleet.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy between the passenger's negative experience and American Airlines' response. It suggests the airline is either fully at fault or entirely blameless, without acknowledging the complexities of maintaining aircraft and passenger comfort.