Avelo Airlines recently got into the deportation flight business, as a way of diversifying its business model. The airline is basing three Boeing 737s at Phoenix Mesa Airport (AZA), to carry out President Trump’s deportation efforts.
Continue reading: Avelo Airlines ICE Deportation Flight Billboards Lead To Legal Spat
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This is totally going to Streisand effect Avelo. Like 2 people fly them every week, but now this may get picked up by the MSM and at the very least the local media. It will bring more attention to the fact they’re not only operating deportation flights, but bullying anyone who calls them out on it. I don’t think this will have the outcome Avelo thinks it will.
However, there's one thing that American consumers, whether liberal or conservative, seem to agree on: buy the cheapest thing, and to hell with the consequences.
We’ll see millions of Trump cult members traveling to Burbank and New Haven just so they can fly Avelo. Just like they are buying Cybertrucks so show their loyalty to the cult leader.
IP attorney here! Yeah, no case for Avelo. Would be trademark infringement (maybe) but Miller’s comments are covered by fair use—commentary and criticism. I also don’t think there would be actual consumer confusion. A consumer wouldn’t believe that Avelo is promoting deportation flights (especially since they can’t sell them).
That’s almost never the point of suing. Large companies just sue you to make you spend tons of money you can’t afford to spend which is not a problem for them. Many people just comply to avoid the hassle and expense. And that’s the goal. Best to publicly shame them.
Except they aren’t buying cybertrucks with deliveries on them flat and existing models already discounted. It turns out that big oil loving F150 drivers from suburbs do not want an EV
I use Avelo on occasion and the flights are always packed. Your stupid boycotts don’t work. America voted for this. Time you moronic libtards realize the tides have turned. Trump destroyed Kamala! Won every single swing state. Americans want our laws to be followed, not ignored. Meanwhile liberals want known ILLEGAL foreign criminals to stay here. Incredible!
If people are seriously concerned about airlines flying deportation flights, do a freedom of information act request to get a list of ALL commercial airlines contracting with DHS to do deportation flights. The results will surprise you.
Regardless of political persuasion, I would be more concerned about transporting shackled deported migrants. If there is an emergency evacuation - how are 100 shackled adults and kids supposed to evacuate. FA's are told NOT to assist.
Avelo
GlobalX
Global Crossing Airlines
Are we gonna see LSAT reviews soon?
Maybe a different kind of bar, not found on A380, you'll be reviewing in the future?
@brian I would try to point out the irony in your weird little tantrum but it would probably fly right over your smooth little brain.
@Ben, this the same Brian who says he’s an Independent who isn’t here to argue politics? These people who are always calling liberals snowflakes are the most whiny little bitches who immediately go into all caps meltdown mode the moment they hear something they don’t like or someone puts the word gay in a book or says to them happy holidays or whatever. So obnoxious and insufferable. They’re like “President Trump telling people to march on the Capitol is protected speech!” but someone putting up a billboard it’s “no, not like that! Be nice to the President. rEsPeCT tHe oFFicE!”. The first amendment comes before the second one, Chad. Bunch of whiny snowflakes. Go get a job dude. Do something productive for society.
Avelo has a point. Some people drive fast and miss the correct message. Fair use does not apply. Change the wording slightly and get rid of the Avelo wording.
Some car companies have forced independent repair shops from using their name. For example, Continental Mazda or Signature BMW. Fair use didn't apply.
You know less than zero about airlines. Doesn’t matter very much if some of the planes are totally packed if the fares and fees don’t cover costs for the system.
And in Avelo’s case, they don’t. Avelo went into the deportation business because they are desperate. Period.
Free Speech and Fair Use both exist. Avelo can pound sand.
The airline is free to run these rendition flights, and the public is free to call them out on it.
Oh Casino Express, Xtra Airlines, Xtra Airways, and Avelo… how we admire you for managing to find ways for this certificate to survive in a competitive industry as it has done for so many years since Elko.
Call 60 Minutes and have them cover it!
Oh, wait...
This is fascism, kids. Go watch the old movies and lean some basic lessons.
Avelo's leadership is just plane (pun intended!) dumb. Dumb as mud. Startups are notoriously difficult to run so I am empathetic with their plight. But to think that helping the U.S. government run flights that carry people who have, in many cases, not had due process (that's illegal in the U.S. for the fascist Trump nutjobs out there), while the carrier's main bases are in wealthy, liberal areas is stupid commercially and reflects a depressing lack of moral correctness and fortitude.
The airline doesn’t decide who gets deported. That’s a government function (via DHS/ICE).
The airline is simply a contracted service provider, like a plumber, electrician, or IT company working for the government.
Making fun of or publicly attacking the airline for “deporting people” is misleading, because they don’t initiate or authorize deportations — they just provide transportation.
I am a foreigner, so this is not my business.But even immigrants have legal and illegal differences, right?Let's assume that Avelo canceled a deportation flight and set them free.That is about 200 illegal immigrants.
So is Seth Miller willing to accept these people? This means housing, food, medical care and even job opportunities.Even if he wants to, does he have the ability?
Welcome to the dark world of SLAPP suits. It’ll backfire on Avelo, as these always do.
Another reason to not fly Avelo - the deportation flights are bad enough, and now they've added their bullying attempts to squash reasonable criticism.
@ tuotuo -- No one is suggesting that Avelo take on deportation flight contracts and then set people free. Rather, people are suggesting that the company not sign up for a contract like this, for the reasons stated (like the questionable legal basis on which the deportations are happening).
@ Bob Sanders -- I'm sorry, I don't follow your logic. So just because they don't decide who gets deported, they have no responsibility? Should hitmen not be criticized, because they don't decide who their target is?
The airline is signing up for this contract *after* these deportations became much more controversial than in the past. We don't have to debate the merits of this, but surely you can see how if someone has an issue with the Trump administration's deportation plan, they could also have an issue with Avelo accepting this work, no?
@ David -- To be clear, most major airlines don't perform deportation flights. Global X is the major player in this game, and now Avelo is participating as well. Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United, etc., don't do this. Or is there something I'm missing?
@ Brian -- Despite the packed flights you've seen, Avelo isn't quite profitable yet. The airline lost a modest amount of money in 2024. Now the outlook looks even worse for 2025, due to current macroeconomic factors, which is why Avelo took on this contract. I won't assign blame for the macroeconomic factors, though.
@Michael, do you even hear yourself? You just went on a bigger, longer angrier rage rant literally about my lesser rant. Once again: Typical hypocrite liberal lacking self-awareness. Good job! Lol. And yes I am very Independent. If I were a Republican, I’d say it. Keep smiling! (Thumbs up)
If they were legal deportations, that would be one thing, but as of Friday, and until SCOTUS changes its mind, if they deport anyone based on the Alien Enemies Act they would aiding and abetting Trump and the Executive Branch in defying a direct order of the Supreme Court.
@little Mickey, oh please! Your liberal rage boycotts don’t work. Look at Tesla stock the past month. Skyrocketing. Your terror campaign of physically attacking innocent Tesla drivers (most are probably liberal, lol!) and private business didn’t work. Nor did Chick Fil A, nor Target, nor Whole Foods.
Your vacation doesn't support their deportation. Their deportation supports your vacation. Their ticket prices were too low. Then the greedy New Haven airport officials, (a totally forgotten passenger terminal) decided to scru them over with Breeze, while they were still, basically the airline version of an embryo.
Tesla stock is at best keeping up with broader trends on the NASDAQ. “Skyrocketing” is a funny way to describe it
We all know how anti-Trump you are, Ben. I guess you'd rather have a bunch of illegal aliens in our country, taking up our jobs and overwhelming our schools and heathcare. They came here illegally, are here illegally, and Trump is thankfully deporting them, although the dummycrats are trying their best to frustrate common sense and to keep destroying America. I'm thankful that the airline is providing this service. If anything, the billboard would make me want to fly and support them further. Maybe you need to ask yourself why you're supporting a bunch of people who are in our country illegally. By the way, Europe has started reintroducing border controls in the Schengen area for the exact same reasons, and they plainly say on the EU website that it's because all the illegals are overwhelming their healthcare and economy, as well as committing crime.
A public airport can’t refuse an airline. Did you think they could have told Breeze to go away? The purpose of the airport is to support its community, not subsidize private business.
Sounds like you need to read up on the first amendment, copyright “fair use” and political speech rights.
Would you be OK with this administrations precedents standing and a future Democrat government deporting Trump voters? Or do you just support illegal policies when they support your views?
Those repair shops were not political speech. No court in the land (except Aileen Caroll’s) will allow Avelo to win this one.
Their load factors out of STS were 57%. Doesn’t support your anecdotal observations.
@Pete - the issue isn't the deportations of those who are in the United States illegally; rather, it's the deportations without due process. Also, by the way, those illegals do a lot of the crop picking and janitorial and landscaping jobs that American citizens tend not to want to do, at least not for the wages offered.
Why yes, I would rather live with un-documented people than maga folks.
When companies engage in political moves the run risks. Never planned to fly Avelo and no I KNOW I never will
The airline would "set them free"? You just broke the internet with the most stupid comment of the day.
Even though I'm very deep blue...and annoyed by many of the MAGA comments...Bob's argument holds water. It's up to the branches of government to figure out the policy. Avelo is not part of the judiciary, after all.
Still, Avelo's lawsuit doesn't hold water, which is the issue at hand.
If you are not an attorney well versed in similar cases, you really don’t know. I was a National VP insurance claims, and I never responded to hypothetical claims. I did certainly value claims that were presented, settled them out and sometimes to a verdict However in all litigated cases, defense attorneys were assigned. However politicians should not be involved in potential litigation as it is a conflict of interest.
lol. you chugged the Kool aid! these folks aren't taking "our" jobs (unless you're picking produce in the hot sun) and they're not overwhelming anything. you need to be better.
Avelo is heavy-handed fascist on the Seth's free speech. it's a pretty clear case of SLAPP since "unfair competition" is beyond laughable, and the rest would be covered under fair use.
I would never consider flying Avelo for any reason now, but we should *also* remember the C-levels, lawyers, and other decision makers at Avelo and shun them for life. It's like being concentration camp prison guards- you never get to make another career decision after making that one. Once you side with pure, obvious evil, you are now part of that evil.
Who says they are deporting anyone? They just have a contract with DHS. Its just business. They provide the planes and the staff. There are hundreds of contractors working for DHS. If Miller wants to protest, he can attack United or American Airlines who do the same.
@Pete, nobody's taking your job. I've been an accountant for over 30 years and not once have I been fired because Julio comes in and looks at my clients' tax returns and says "we're going to have to file an extension". It's not our fault that you drive an Uber or whatever. Those are the only jobs that are up for grabs. Hope you know how to clean your own hotel room and fix your own roof after hurricane season. And by the way us democrats don't want illegal immigration either. What we want is 1) that they're treated with dignity and due process, and 2) that you either pay $20 for strawberries, or shut the fuck up about illegals. You can't have it both ways.
Hello Speedbird I have Tesla stock and it is up 46% in the last month, which is much better than average trend. Please do not speak which you know nothing of.
@Brian, I may be on a rant but at least I don't need to make shit up about my political affiliations to get my point across. I think Independent doesn't mean what you think it means. And if you want to call calling our your bullshit a rant knock yourself out. You can call me all the names you want. You seem to be under the mistaken impression that I care.
I do like his hotel reviews. They are very thoughtful and detailed. However, lately he seems to be totally obsessed with what President Trump is doing.
Miller is an A$$ clown. Avelo is just the transporter for a law being enforced. What will hMiller do next? Will he make billboards against Ford because the Ford Explorer is one of the most common vehicles used by law enforncement to enforce laws and transport detained individuals? As for immigration and deportation laws, these were not created by Trump. It's just that Trump has decided to actualoy enforce the laws that were already in place. Maybe Miller should turn his ire toward all the former administartions who cose to either ignore, or only "lightly" enforce the laws. If they had done their job in the past, then we would not be in this situation.
As a Jew, your analogy is downright disgusting. Rounding up and murdering millions of people based on their religion and race, your own citizens mind you, is not comparable in any form to deporting non-citizens that are illegally here. Any difficulties put on people and families due to deportation is the fault of the administrations that opened the boarders without an act of congress and the people that came here with no permanent assurances of being able to stay.
The purpose of an airport, according to federal law and policy dating back 100 years exactly, is to serve the users of aviation services. NOT the community as a whole. Airports are intended to be self-sustaining through the use of taxes and fees, and cannot discriminate against the activities of carriers wishing to use publicly-funded facilities.
Without due process, how do you know that US Citizens are also not being deported? No one is opposing the deportation of criminal illegal aliens, but there has to be some legal process where it is confirmed that they are truly here illegally.
Tomorrow, ICE could show up at your doorstep and detain you. Due process is what would protect you from being shipped off to CECOT in El Salvador. Most Americans with common sense agree that illegal aliens are a detriment to our society, but we have to be sure they are actually an illegal alien and not either a legal immigrant or a US Citizen before we detain and deport them.
Ben - could you please consider, only allowing registered commenters?
Of late my travel safe space is feeling more like Gary's .
I'll still read the article(s) but given the number of militant RWNJ that are "guests" - it has come close to making comments ... an avoidance issue.
I am uncertain if making them register will calm the vitriol, but it might help, since feeling accountable tempers rage posting.
424.07 Close Jan 21 2025
First day market was open after inauguration.
349.98 Close May 16 2025
17% loss in Value since Elmo decided to be DOGE head
But feel free to lie with numbers.
Actually, many would argue that there are similarities between the beginnings of the holocaust and what is happening now. Making that comparison does not minimize the atrocities of the holocaust. Instead, it can 'wake people up' as to what is happening. Using one's religion to police others and say "you can't make that comparison" is wrong. It's not just non-U.S. citizens that have been deported by ICE under the Trump administration - U.S. citizens are being deported as as a quick Google search will show.
Were you screaming 'due process' when these illegals were entering the United States en-masse without due process?
Talking about legality, these illegal aliens, entered the United States ILLEGALLY. I'd like you to try to enter any country in the world illegally and see what happens.
I agree with JD. Fair use of a trademark is potentially more limited than copyright fair use. Avelo will argue that even though the company's symbol was altered it was still intended to be identified as Avelo. Avelo might win. If they do lose on this aspect of the case they may also suffer a "tortious interference with contract" claim. My bet is none of goes to trial.
Nobody cares what religion you practice, that doesn’t make your opinion worth any more than anyone else’s. Get over yourself.
'Americans want our laws to be followed, not ignored.'
So why do you support deportations without due process, like the law states? Or does it only count when you like it?
I would like to pose a related topic - if it were one of the the major carriers would people result to the same actions or comments, or would the airline and alliance group be targeted?
@Michael, Ah, only liberals always question my Independent status. Let’s see, I’m Pro-choice, against capital punishment, for federal legalization of THC and psychedelics, support gay rights, universal health care, and a rabid environmentalist. Am I still a Republican? You lost me when you Defunded the Police, mandated experimental vaccines, closed businesses for too long, care more about illegal criminals than innocent citizens, used lawfare against your political opponents, started 3 wars and botched Afghan withdrawal, weak DA’s on crime, lied about Biden dementia, double down on Woke, call for violence so bad George Floyd riots burned down our cities, Tesla owners and dealers were physically assaulted, and a President was shot! You keep pushing people like me to the Right. I used to vote Blue. You’ve lost the White House, Congress and Senate. You exhaust people. The fatigue is real. You guys aren’t the cool kids anymore but the whiners. But yeah, I’m lying about my politics.
@GSHLGB- I was talking about the effects of the Tesla boycott NOT since Trump started. Nice try though.
Maybe this moron shouldn't tell a business how to run their business. I'd like to see him try to run an airline in 2025. It would last less than Skybus or Independence Air.
If you fly into JFK from a foreign country with a bad passport or without the appropriate visa you are sent back almost immediately.
In other words...you don't get a lawyer, judge or any sort of due process.
The people being deported either crossed the border illegally or under false pretenses (i.e. they lied) and have had the luxury of being here long enough to get slapped with a deportation order.
These people aren't death row inmates where executions are dragged out for DECADES.
They have every opportunity to go back to the country of their citizesnhip and apply for LEGAL entry into the United States.
George, your comment is baseless..... Miller is allowed his opinion and to express it in line with free speech laws.
@Nohablasingles
Read up on asylum law. Many countries, the US included, require asylum seekers to be physically in the country to claim asylum and begin that legal process. Many of the people doing this can't get a visa to fly into the US, so the only option left is crossing the border and then presenting themselves to border officials. This happens in France, the UK, Italy, Hungary, Spain, the list goes on, and it was as big a political issue over there during the Syrian civil war and Libya's collapse as it has been over here for the past 8 years.
People who cross and request asylum should be given their chance to prove their claims in immigration court. If they can't, they get deported. If they don't claim asylum within the legal timeframe and don't have any other protected status, they should get deported. What SHOULDN'T happen is ICE and CBP preventing people they picked up off the street last month from contacting legal counsel, moving them from jurisdiction to jurisdiction to dodge their families attempts to legally intervene, and then deport them to a foreign gulag without any legal process.
Hey Pete...... Many are anti Trump, and even more are now since January 21, and the beginning of his A$$ Clown presidency! Those are our rights as Americans and Ben does a very reasonable and responsible job in operation of his business of travel information sharing!! So, Pi$$ Off Pete and don't read the blog & take all your MAGA Clowns with you...
@derek
The difference is that an independent repair shop could arguably be using the name to mislead customers into thinking that said repair shop is an official or affiliated brand service center. That's very different from this case. Miller isn't advertising a competing business, he's put up political speech informing the public that Avelo is opportunistically profiting from Trump's illegal deportation scheme under the Alien Enemies Act. Avelo was free to enter into that contract yes, but people are also free to call them on it and inform the traveling public about Avelo's detainee passengers.
Brian..... It's all about due process, which A$$ Clowns MAGAites like you don't believe in!!
Brian..... It's all about due process, which A$$ Clowns MAGAites like you don't believe in!!
@David: plus Eastern Air Express (N959BP and N660CP; both in "VIP" configuration according to planespotters.net)
@dee and @George Romey
I thought Republicans were big on the whole "you are free to act, but not free from the consequences of those actions" schtick? Republicans got big mad about Budweiser and Target, why shouldn't people call out Avelo for taking government money to deport people who may not have received the due process they are entitled to under US law and the Constitution?
@Sel D.
You're making a distinction based on the outcome (deportation vs starvation/mass murder) but ignoring that both outcomes start at the same place: Denial of civil rights and due process under law for the group in question. If the government never has to let a supposed illegal immigrant from seeing a court room, what stops ICE from claiming you're an illegal immigrant and shipping you off? Either ALL of us have the right to due process, or NONE of us have the right to due process.
@Andrew H.
Generally if you have a bad passport or no visa you don't even make it out of your home airport. Because, you know, the airline checks for that because they don't want to have to fly you back if you turn out to be inadmissible. Should you make it to JFK, you are now on US soil and do have the ability to request asylum and have your case go before a judge to decide if it's valid. And to be clear, being able to request asylum does not guarantee you get to stay in the US indefinitely. Only that you can present your evidence for why you may be killed or persecuted in your home country and stay if the court finds it compelling.
Most people coming into the US illegally, as I said above, do not have the ability to fly to JFK. Which is why they then must cross the border illegally to be able to claim asylum to begin with. It's a dumb system that stacks the deck against asylees, and it should be changed, but realistically that's the only way most people can claim it to begin with. Now do all of them do that? No. Some do just come in and take their chances. Those people should be deported as they didn't enter legally AND didn't do so to claim asylum or some other protected status.
Why? Because Republicans are the biggest snowflakes you'll ever see. When they talk about freedom they mean THEIR freedom to do and say what they want, not yours.
Micheal you mistook hypocrites for snowflakes.
While most if not all snowflakes are hypocrites. A lot of hypocrites are not snowflakes.
@Brian, in other words, you support just about every major Democratic party policy position, and great for you for standing up for what is right. Except you hate today's Democratic party so much, that instead you supported the party who is fanatical about opposing every one of those things. And as an independent, you were fine with the party who believes elections only count when they win. Congratulations, you're now a Republican.
Please, these people start hyperventilating when they see someone wearing a mask and throw feces at Starbucks if someone writes Happy Holidays on a their red cup. The same "fuck your feelings" crowd who are always taking pictures with their guns but go full-on Karen when they see a rainbow flag or a fictional black mermaid. No, snowflakes is exactly what I meant.
@GSHLGB If Ben gets rid of “guests” then 90% of the comments section is gone. But then again, you liberals love to censor free speech, don’t you, as Zuckerberg snitched on the Biden administration and said they were bullied to censor Conservatives during Biden. The Twitter Files showed the same thing there. Elon exposed that. The 1970’s Soviet Union propaganda machine would be very proud of you and the current Democrats. And yes, I’ve been pushed to the Right BECAUSE of information such as that. Joe Rogan turned Right. Elon turned Right. Tulsi turned Right. Seems more and more are. The majority of Republicans are now ok with gay marriage. More gays feel accepted and are turning. Black men had highest turn out for Trump. You are losing but you keep doubling down. SMH
@ Brian -- A couple of weeks ago, you left a comment saying you come here to escape politics and to read about your passion, travel. However, since then, you've not left a single comment that hasn't been political. I appreciate you as a reader, but please stop trying to fuel off-topic discussions in the comments section.
I’m not sure what’s more dumb…the comment or the people who found it “helpful.”
Anyway…to play along…what would you be deporting Trump voters for, exactly?
That's a good segway. Is BMW and VW at fault for supporting Nazi run Germany during WW2?
Yes, that's how Business is. You follow your client's orders. Some other airline was going to get paid. Might as well be a small business, rather than United and American Airlines again. Their revenue might double due to this contract. The DHS will definitely go over their $162 million contract. Overtime and government waste will happen. DHS staff will now have their personal airlines to transport friends and family.
Stay out of politics? He’s an elected member of the New Hampshire House of Reprasentatives. His job is politics. Although I’m sure you think it’s fine for Elon Musk to be the shadow president.
Hey George. Your guy in the White House was telling Walmart how to run its business. In past weeks he’s told Ford and Amazon how to do business. Are you OK with that?
Also, he’s not telling Avelo how to do business. He letting potential passengers know how Avelo do business.
My sentiments exactly.
I had considered trying Avelo on a route — which it has since cancelled — but I no longer will consider them on any route.
Lamar Advertising also has behaved shamefully in this matter, as they acted as a surrender monkey and failed to stand up for an already paid-up advertiser’s rights.
The law is if you are in the country illegally you are sent out. The law isn't and has never been that you are sent to a 3rd world torture prison with no prospect of relief.
Further the law is that you get 'due process' which doesn't necessarily mean a full trial, but does mean that you get a chance to show that you are actually in the country legally.
So your statement that the laws are being enforced are not just wrong but totally wrong.
Since there was no chance for the people being deported to show that they were here legally, you don't know that.
And since some are being deported to a 3rd world gulag without any prospect of release they have no opportunity to go back to the country of their citizenship.
Dee, Earlier you said “stay out of politics” in a comment, yet here you are again, running with scissors at politics. You’re not really here for the airline stuff, are you?
@Ben, Seriously! You are singling me out amongst the hoards of off topic commenters? I do come here to escape but you keep posting political topics aimed at skewing the narrative. Others have mentioned it. Yet you don’t wag your finger every time one of your liberal buddies rants about Trump off topic, which happens all of the time. SMH
GLCTraveler, I’ve been a Libertarian my entire life. The big difference between liberals and conservatives regarding my Libertarian views: Conservatives politely debate me and try to win me over. Liberals are toxic and wildly intolerant (yeah the same party that lectures tolerance) and name call such as yourself. Swing voters like myself in swing states decide elections, so keep talking shit.