As reported by The Jerusalem Post, United Airlines is being sued for fraud, breach of contract, and negligence, following a delay on a recent Newark to Tel Aviv flight. Let’s cover the basics of the flight, and then we’ll look at the lawsuit.
In this post:
United Airlines’ controversial flight delay
This incident involves UA84, United Airlines’ August 6, 2022, flight from Newark (EWR) to Tel Aviv (TLV). The flight, which was operated by a Boeing 787-10, was scheduled to depart at 4:25PM. However, shortly before departure, passengers were informed that the flight would be delayed by over 12 hours, and would instead depart early the following morning, at 5:45AM.
The reason this flight ended up getting a lot of media attention wasn’t because of the delay as such, but rather because of the reasoning that United provided for it. United Airlines’ website indicated that the flight was delayed “because of a curfew at Tel Aviv’s airport.” Many passengers took issue with this, since Ben Gurion Airport in Israel doesn’t have a curfew, and also didn’t have one at the time.
Meanwhile a gate agent announced that the reason for the delay was because the crew was “refusing to take the flight at this time.”
In response to a press inquiry, United also claimed that the delay was due to a maintenance issue. Meanwhile another passenger reported being told that the delay was due to thunderstorms and bad weather.
While we don’t know to what extent this is connected, this flight took place the same time as the most recent fighting in the Gaza Strip, where we saw rockets fired into the Tel Aviv area.
Passenger sues United Airlines over delay
Migir Ilganayev of the Ilganayev Law Firm was a passenger on this flight from Newark to Tel Aviv, and on August 26, 2022, filed a lawsuit against United Airlines over the delay. The airline is being sued for $50,000 with interest and legal fees, as United is being accused of fraud, breach of contract, negligence, and more. According to the summons:
“[United] committed fraud and deceit against Plaintiff and all other passengers when its crew refused to perform their job, and United deliberately, and knowingly lied about the reason for its delay.”
The plaintiff in this case ended up booking a separate flight on EL AL for $769.80. However, the passenger was denied access to his checked bags, which would be put on a United flight to Tel Aviv. It’s also claimed that United provided little support to passengers, though travelers were offered a $40 meal voucher.
While some passengers claimed that United denied accommodations for stranded passengers, the airline disputes this claim, and says that hotels were provided to passengers.
My take on this incident
To me this incident sounds like just another flight delay? Yes, airlines are absolutely terrible at providing accurate information regarding flight delays. This is no doubt a problem in the industry, and in particular airlines love to default to weather as the reason for delays, as that’s something that can’t be controlled, and gets them off the hook.
Here you have claims of four different reasons for the flight delay. Was the curfew reason wrong? Of course. But I’m not sure I’d necessarily attribute that to malice, rather than stupidity.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the pilots said (rightly or wrongly) they weren’t comfortable flying to Tel Aviv while there were rockets being fired, and then the person responsible for updating flight status listed a “curfew” as the reason for the delay, since “pilots not comfortable flying due to rockets” probably isn’t a great look either.
Unfortunately airline contracts of carriage are notoriously one-sided, and barring any government regulations, airlines don’t make any promises about when they’ll get you to a destination. Personally I don’t think United “made up” this delay just for giggles, in the sense that there was a “valid” reason for the delay, even if it was within the carrier’s control.
If the pilots refused to fly in light of rockets near Tel Aviv, then the airline obviously had to find new pilots, and maybe there were no reserve pilots available (as we’ve seen all too often this summer).
To me it seems like a bit of a stretch to file a $50K lawsuit over a flight delay, but then again, I’m also not a lawyer with time on my hands, so…
Bottom line
United Airlines is facing a lawsuit over a recent Newark to Tel Aviv flight delay. The flight was delayed by over 12 hours, and passengers were given a variety of reasons for the delay, from a non-existent curfew, to the pilots refusing to fly, to weather, to maintenance. That’s unfortunately far too common in the airline industry.
A passenger has now filed a $50,000 lawsuit against the airline, alleging fraud, breach of contract, and negligence. While I can appreciate the frustration around how poorly and inaccurately airlines communicate delays, I’m not sure this meets the threshold of being worthy of such big monetary damages…
What do you make of this lawsuit?
I hope United wins. They are lucky even get a flight to Israel.
My husband and I experienced a flight delay (BDL to IAD) with United on Friday, June 17, 2022. The pilot told us that the flight could not depart BDL for IAD due to 'a VIP event at Dulles which shut down 2 runways'. It turns out VP Harris and the president of United Airlines, Brett Hart, were there to meet a United flight containing a shipment of baby formula which was scarce at the time....
My husband and I experienced a flight delay (BDL to IAD) with United on Friday, June 17, 2022. The pilot told us that the flight could not depart BDL for IAD due to 'a VIP event at Dulles which shut down 2 runways'. It turns out VP Harris and the president of United Airlines, Brett Hart, were there to meet a United flight containing a shipment of baby formula which was scarce at the time. It caused us to miss a connecting flight to FRA (Frankfurt) and on to BSL (Basel). We did not leave Dulles (IAD) until Monday, June 20th. We missed the first 2 days of our much-anticipated Viking River Cruise. I had purchased insurance. The insurer (TripMate/Generali) is requesting that the carrier, United, provide a reason for the flight delay. I would expect that many other flights in and out of IAD were impacted on June 17th. I requested the information from United on 8/23 via their official 'feedback' website: I have a case number. I was told on 9/1 to send an email to '[email protected]" as well (which I did). The information should be readily available I had assumed. I need the flight delay reason in order to move my claim forward with the insurance carrier. I thought about posting on Reddit as I would expect many other travelers to have been impacted by this VIP event. I will continue to call and monitor my request and hope that United gets to my inquiry and provides an accurate reason for this flight delay so that I can be reimbursed per my insurance contract.
Similar experience on my flight to Israel.
I won't fly United again.
I do not support this lawsuit. I’d prefer greater transparency, but I support the pilots and airlines decision and give them the benefit of the doubt on safety.
Ridiculous lawsuit. There was no breach of contract. The contract doesn't say UA will fly you to your destination on this specific flight, or when. It just says it will. And it certainly doesn't require UA to make correct announcements.
Of course this doesn't absolve UA. Passengers have every right to complain about UA's operations to the airline, on social media, etc. But a lawsuit? It will be laughed out of court.
Contracts of carriage protect the airline. Laws protect the passengers. The airline can be in compliance with their contract but not the law, so the passenger has the right to a lawsuit.
And what law was broken? The one that says "an airline must fly through an active war zone"? Or the one that says "an airline must provide accurate announcements as to the reason for delays and cancellations"?
Like I said: laughed out of court.
Even if the passenger lawsuit prevail at a reduced amount, UA will be liable for the same amount to every passenger on that flight.
If airlines don't start acting responsibly, more regulation is certainly coming.
Crash two of their planes in '01, unnecessary lawsuit in '22. Kikes be kikin'
Wow! This comment is racist and needs taken down. Let alone the fact it implies that Jewish people were seriously responsible for 9/11??
@Lucky. Are these "conversations" going to deteriorate to the level of other discourse on the web. This should be removed.
A lawsuit is over the top and will cost passengers. Flights get delayed.
Lucky, please give us an update once this has all been sorted out!! Should be a hum dinger. ;-)
Just to refocus here, airlines generally have varying level of responsibility for delays, and the level depends on the reason for the delay. If it is weather, then airlines abjure any financial responsibility. If a weather delay would lead to violating an airport curfew, this would similarly be a "get out of responsibility" card for the airline. If, however, this were a matter of the flight crew refusing to fly, this is considered within the...
Just to refocus here, airlines generally have varying level of responsibility for delays, and the level depends on the reason for the delay. If it is weather, then airlines abjure any financial responsibility. If a weather delay would lead to violating an airport curfew, this would similarly be a "get out of responsibility" card for the airline. If, however, this were a matter of the flight crew refusing to fly, this is considered within the airline's control and they are expected to pay for accommodations or other unreimbursable expenses. Given the legal repercussions, airlines need to get a handle on providing timely and accurate reasons for delays, and a $50k lawsuit will probably help.
First, I’ll pose another question: “What do I think of the columnist?” I think any columnist who writes: “To me it seems like a bit of a stretch to file a $50K lawsuit over a flight delay, but then again, I’m also not a lawyer with time on my hands, so…” is being snarky. Perhaps because they are unable to think of a valid reason to support the airline’s actions? Falling back on ad hominem-type...
First, I’ll pose another question: “What do I think of the columnist?” I think any columnist who writes: “To me it seems like a bit of a stretch to file a $50K lawsuit over a flight delay, but then again, I’m also not a lawyer with time on my hands, so…” is being snarky. Perhaps because they are unable to think of a valid reason to support the airline’s actions? Falling back on ad hominem-type attacks always reflects more on the one doing so than on the one impugned. Moving on, it’s a bad look, and very dumb, for an airline to come up with an easily disprovable lie. I would certainly be sympathetic with pilots not wanting to fly in a war-like zone, and if that were the reason, the airline could have stated so. As this has scenario has happened multiple times lately, when rockets weren’t?’t flying, other things are likely afoot.
I think that United should have just said with the current events it’s not safe to fly there right now, and if other airlines feel it’s safe that’s their prerogative, but we’re not going. I also think the passenger filing the lawsuit wanted the flight to operate no matter how unsafe it was. Not my friend.
Spot on Robert.............. Remind me NOT to hire Migir Ilganayev of the Ilganayev Law Firm for my next lawsuit!!!
Problem is not the delay but rather the lack of communication and the lack of telling the truth as well as the lack of appropriate compensation. Give people a hotel room, a couple of meal vouchers, club access, and a coupon for a future flight.
I think that more government oversight should be put into the airlines. Airlines have canceled THOuSAnDS of flights this year! BILLIONS in tax payer dollars were given in COVID relief to assure that the airlines were staffed for the PREDICTED surge in travel after the pandemic. Sadly, many of the airlines did not comply and the government has not demanded accountability. Pete Buttogieg the Transportation Secretary has done NOTHING about this! It is time for...
I think that more government oversight should be put into the airlines. Airlines have canceled THOuSAnDS of flights this year! BILLIONS in tax payer dollars were given in COVID relief to assure that the airlines were staffed for the PREDICTED surge in travel after the pandemic. Sadly, many of the airlines did not comply and the government has not demanded accountability. Pete Buttogieg the Transportation Secretary has done NOTHING about this! It is time for him and his agency to step up or step out! Lawsuits like this will force airlines to be accountable. It was OUR tax dollars that supported them, and they have failed miserably.
the only reason this lawsuit is filed is because this guy is a lawyer and he can do it himself and it costs him nothing. he is hoping to suck a nuisance agreement from the airline just to drop the suit. this is no big story, lawyers do this all the time. as a passenger, I would be happy to not fly at all if rockets are flying all round the area.
As a retired attorney I agree with you.!
Totally correct Jeff K......... Thanks for corroborating it Albert!!
Know that "Weather" and "Aircraft Maintenance" are always the two go-to's for airlines looking to skip out on their delayed flight compensation requirements owed to passengers by law, which would have applied in this case. Never believe the weather or maintenance lie.
I have been bumped by United several times over the last couple of years with bs reasons or no reason as to why the flight has been canceled, no accommodation or meal vouchers provided.
I am so happy that someone has decided to bring this problem to the forefront, as congress appears to be doing nothing about defending passengers rights.
That's true, airlines don't have responsibility for flight delay or cancelation
The airline knows that when a delay is within their control, they are responsible for various levels of compensation or accommodation depending on the circumstances. If United provided an incorrect reason for the delay to skirt responsibility and as a result hundreds of passengers had to figure out their own accommodation, then they open themselves to liability.
This particular passenger decided to buy a ticket on another flight instead of waiting 12 hours for the...
The airline knows that when a delay is within their control, they are responsible for various levels of compensation or accommodation depending on the circumstances. If United provided an incorrect reason for the delay to skirt responsibility and as a result hundreds of passengers had to figure out their own accommodation, then they open themselves to liability.
This particular passenger decided to buy a ticket on another flight instead of waiting 12 hours for the United one. It seems like he needed to be in Israel urgently. I don't know if United's liability would need to cover all damages, but if they didn't act in good faith, then I could see justification to the suite.
I don't think the sentiment that "airlines do this all the time" is any justification for the industry. If anything, it makes the passengers argument stronger.
Medical field says
DO NO HARM.
PILOTS: SAFETY FIRST.
IF I was on that flight, and was aware of recent weapons near GAZA..which is south of Tel Aviv, I would get off, and even go home, if necessary. Take a morning flight instead! Even if it was PILOTS were exhausted aka..mechanical problems.. those PILOTS waiting in plane are getting exhausted as you were. I want my PILOT to be refreshed and ready to...
Medical field says
DO NO HARM.
PILOTS: SAFETY FIRST.
IF I was on that flight, and was aware of recent weapons near GAZA..which is south of Tel Aviv, I would get off, and even go home, if necessary. Take a morning flight instead! Even if it was PILOTS were exhausted aka..mechanical problems.. those PILOTS waiting in plane are getting exhausted as you were. I want my PILOT to be refreshed and ready to keep awake too.
How can the guy suing sue, he didn't even stay in the plane. He has no CAUSE.
If the guy is losing a contract worth a million , 50000 usd is very less amount …
“Israelis are so good on getting [money].” As soon as I realized the flight was bound for Ben Gurion Airport, I figured there would be an anti-Semitic comment posted. I’m not happy about attacks on lawyers as money-grubbers, but I can live with those. However, calling Jews money-grubbers in slightly different words (and most Israelis are indeed Jewish) is outrageous.
Yes anti-Semitic comments are outrageous.
But too soon to play the discrimination card?
Mario just said Israelis. The tendency to self draw conclusion and play the victim card seems to happen quite often with certain race or certain religious group. Not that police brutality isn't a thing.
Anyway, don't fly Lufthansa, don't fly United.
Seems like StarAlliance is anti-Semitic?
The Gaza rocket attacks into Israel sound like the most likely reason for the delay. However, if El Al was still flying, I wonder if it was a legitimate excuse on the United pilots’ part. Furthermore, by the time the flight neared the Middle East, the attacks might have ended. Diverting the flight later and landing elsewhere might have made more sense, although some of Israel’s neighbors are notoriously hostile about flyover rights. This delay...
The Gaza rocket attacks into Israel sound like the most likely reason for the delay. However, if El Al was still flying, I wonder if it was a legitimate excuse on the United pilots’ part. Furthermore, by the time the flight neared the Middle East, the attacks might have ended. Diverting the flight later and landing elsewhere might have made more sense, although some of Israel’s neighbors are notoriously hostile about flyover rights. This delay is just another outgrowth of the tragic, generations-long battle over the same small strip of land.
The UA pilots do not, in fact, need a legitimate excuse. There were episodes in the years following 9/11 in which people who looked Middle-eastern and spoke a foreign language were kicked off their flights for the sole reason that the pilot did not want them on the plane. If I remember right, the pilots faced no repercussions for doing so. This is different only to the extent that the pilots' reason for not wanting to fly is actually defensible.
Lawsuit is ridiculous to say the least, ask a free ticket or discount on your next flight and move on .
Why not just tell the truth
Aside from this fiasco United is famous for telling passengers thier flight is delayed for example 2 hours, when the aircraft needed to fly is 5 hours away on the west Coast, making it impossible the delay will only be two hours. They are holding the customers money.
The reality is that airline fleets are fungible. While airlines always lie about the likely duration of a delay, they can easily state that they had planned to substitute another aircraft arriving in two hours.
As others have mentioned, the merits of this case are likely poor, but more relevantly, this is unlikely to go to trial in a U.S. court (I'm assuming this was filed in a U.S. court because the lawyer is a member of the U.S. bar). AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, 563 US 333 (2011) gives corporations broad powers to compel consumers to sign mandatory arbitration clauses as part of commercial contracts. United Airlines' contract of...
As others have mentioned, the merits of this case are likely poor, but more relevantly, this is unlikely to go to trial in a U.S. court (I'm assuming this was filed in a U.S. court because the lawyer is a member of the U.S. bar). AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, 563 US 333 (2011) gives corporations broad powers to compel consumers to sign mandatory arbitration clauses as part of commercial contracts. United Airlines' contract of carriage almost certainly contains a mandatory arbitration clause precluding relief in court.
(note: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice)
United, and Newark Liberty are famous for delaying aircraft in and out of Newark on a consistent basis. When I worked in Bozeman, Montana, the flight to Bozeman would always arrive on time, but one stretch of 30 days straight, the return flight was delayed for 4 to 5 hours. Other west coast traffic heading inbound to Newark would be in the air, but the Bozeman flight sat on the ground. United and Newark don't...
United, and Newark Liberty are famous for delaying aircraft in and out of Newark on a consistent basis. When I worked in Bozeman, Montana, the flight to Bozeman would always arrive on time, but one stretch of 30 days straight, the return flight was delayed for 4 to 5 hours. Other west coast traffic heading inbound to Newark would be in the air, but the Bozeman flight sat on the ground. United and Newark don't do anyone any favors, with these excuses.
Newark is a complete joke of a hub.
Yet let's spend billions making terminals pretty without increasing airspace capacity at all.
Lower lawyer
That is why lawyers have a bad reputation
In all honesty, all of those reasons could have been in play.. Think about it, The mentioned maintenance issue: some maintenance items inhibit operation on certain routes also, could potentially create a delay long enough to cause crew to time out and on a long flight like EWR/TLV, even a short delay could cause that problem... as well as the possibility of bad weather possibly causing a routing issue that would have created a flight...
In all honesty, all of those reasons could have been in play.. Think about it, The mentioned maintenance issue: some maintenance items inhibit operation on certain routes also, could potentially create a delay long enough to cause crew to time out and on a long flight like EWR/TLV, even a short delay could cause that problem... as well as the possibility of bad weather possibly causing a routing issue that would have created a flight time problem for the crew or even be too long to operate without a fuel stop, (which also creates a flight time issue for crews). The "curfew" issue could easily be an airspace directive and not necessarily a station specific curfew or even a curfew at the assigned alternate station, (which is mandatory on that length of flight). And that information can be disseminated incorrectly... doesn't make it incorrect. Average passengers are very narrow minded when it comes to their specific flight and don't know that there are many 'big picture' issues the Airline has to consider. (like when a flight is delayed due to weather, passengers complain "but there's not bad weather at my destination and the sky is blue out the window... how could it be delayed due to "weather"? Sorry, there's an entire world that their flight transits where weather happens)... Yes, the firing of rockets should give anyone pause to traveling to that area.. A crew has the ultimate authority to decide if they deem the aircraft, route, weather, (no matter how it affects flight), safe to operate. THAT'S THEIR JOB!!! To make sure the flight is operated safely. I think it's disgusting that this lawyer is suing on basis of "fraud, breach of contract and negligence" when in fact, there was no fraud. The flight was going to operate. Just not in his timeframe... news flash, the world does not revolve around him. No breach of contract, the contract is to get paying passenger from point A to point B. That passenger opted out of the ticketed contract and flew another airline. As for "negligence", on the contrary... any one of the reasons given for delay was HYPER-VIGILANTLY CAUTIOUS... SAFETY is number one priority that many passengers fail to accept as the ultimate starting point in a decision to delay or cancel a flight .....
This lawsuit is ridiculous on its face. There is no federal law or FAA regulation requiring an airline to be consistent in its messaging to passengers about delays, or even accurate. The passenger filing this suit cannot possibly prove any differential monetary damages for a 12-hour flight delay due to any of 16 different reasons. The net is still a 12-hour delay is a 12-hour delay and solely and 100% within the purview of the...
This lawsuit is ridiculous on its face. There is no federal law or FAA regulation requiring an airline to be consistent in its messaging to passengers about delays, or even accurate. The passenger filing this suit cannot possibly prove any differential monetary damages for a 12-hour flight delay due to any of 16 different reasons. The net is still a 12-hour delay is a 12-hour delay and solely and 100% within the purview of the airline to declare. The day that any court retrospectively declares that a flight delay was not legitimate based on the airlines. Sole professional judgment, is the day we all are less safe in the skies. This passenger had the same remedies available to him as we all have in circumstances like this; he can bad mouth United all he likes on social media, and refuse to fly them again. These kinds of lawsuits, if settled by the airline for nuisance value, increase the cost of tickets to all of the rest of us.
Exactly. The lawsuit should be thrown out of court without UA having to reach a settlement.
Airlines must have a central location and team of people that give reasons for flight delays and everyone must follow them.
There would not be a lawsuit and there would not be an article here if UA had simply said there was an operational reason that the flight needed to be delayed. That team of people needs to know what they can legally say and the risks they expose their employer to if they...
Airlines must have a central location and team of people that give reasons for flight delays and everyone must follow them.
There would not be a lawsuit and there would not be an article here if UA had simply said there was an operational reason that the flight needed to be delayed. That team of people needs to know what they can legally say and the risks they expose their employer to if they incorrectly state reasons that are not true
It is not up to the individual crew or the gate agent to make up their own commentary on why the flight is delayed and those employees should know they will be disciplined for providing commentary that does not toe the corporate line.
It is up to a judge or jury to decide whether the passenger deserves the level of compensation they seek but any of those reasons could have been valid if they were accurate and if they were all told by every UA employee that gave a reason for the delay
My flight not only got delayed but later cancelled for two days and they didn’t provide meal vouchers nor hotel accommodations. It wasn’t united; it was Jet blue. My sister flew American Airlines, the plane boarded the passengers kept them in the plane for 1 hour told them to unboard due for mechanical issues let them wait over 6 hours and she had to take another flight to another airport in which I had to...
My flight not only got delayed but later cancelled for two days and they didn’t provide meal vouchers nor hotel accommodations. It wasn’t united; it was Jet blue. My sister flew American Airlines, the plane boarded the passengers kept them in the plane for 1 hour told them to unboard due for mechanical issues let them wait over 6 hours and she had to take another flight to another airport in which I had to travel over 3 hours to pick her up passed midnight. My cousins flight didn’t take off and got also cancelled two days. I’m in agreement this person is sueing the airline, I’m sorry it’s united, because is my preferred method to travel
But I believe all airlines are getting a bit out of hand with overbooking flights and not having the crew to cover for their overbooking sales. Someone has to put a stop to it.
Sorry, but what relevance does all that have to this specific report?
The Airlines are lying to its passengers for a while now. Just be honest and let the public know about Pilots and crew Timeing out.
And that there’s problems getting crew.
I personally sat on the runway a month ago 5 hours, no water, no Air. It was so hot and a horrible experience.
I won’t be flying for a while now…
As a Pilot or Passenger, I would rather be delayed than put in danger. Though it my be an inconvenience I wouldn't want to be another tragic airline incident. The Pilot and the Crew are responsible for the Passengers. Taking added precautions by the Pilot for the flight, Passengers and Crew was in EVERYONES BEST INTEREST!
All the passengers should file for compensation under Israeli law (similar to EU261). I am sure United will push back but is worth a try to send a message. If the concern was for passenger safety United should have stated this and not tried to make up fake excuses. Passengers would have respected that decision instead of being told BS.
Although the lawsuit maybe extreme
I really do hope he wins .... the
Air line industry really needs to be taught a lesson.... so these delays
Stop !!!
“Airlines need to be taught a lesson?”
So you think airlines should change their mentality and operate flights even though there is a mechanical issue or missiles or pilot fatigue or etc?
you really think airlines delay or cancel flights just for fun? those decisions cost them money and it's not done lightly... it's not just passenger inconvenience. Very narcissistic and myopic of you to think the world revolves around any one passenger... and many think as narrow minded as you. Shame on you.
So in your world, how would this delay not have happened?
Sounds like a typical money hungry lawyer who cannot tolerate anything that could hurt his fragile pride. Hope he loses a lot of money on this baseless suit.
I HATE the airlines. HATE!
Congress needs to STOP bailing them out and provide better recourse for consumers/passengers.
"I HATE the airlines. HATE!"
Why then read a site that covers an industry you hate? Isn't that a guaranteed downer for you?
A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client.
Israel has a similar regulation to EU261. All United flights to and from Israel are subject to it as UA has offices in Israel and as such they are subject to the full extent of the law.
My guess is that they’re using the curfew excuse to say the delay was out of their hands so they wouldn’t have to pay compensation. However, crew behavior is definitely within UA’s control. I guess that’s the point of this lawsuit.
Fraud? Must be dreaming this stuff up. THere should be an answer but it's not fraud.
Problem is passengers make up the story as they go. I remember one flight delayed for fueling and a passenger saying there was an unqualified mechanic with a big black hose working on the aircraft. LOL
Not being a legal expert I am wondering if this will end up setting a precedent should it actually continue. If so, this will open up a Pandora's box for the airlines to be sued by passengers for lengthy delays that involve crews refusing to fly. Or for other reasons deemed deceitful.
The reality is that if the pilots didn't want to fly and operations approved this, they should have agreed to announce to passengers...
Not being a legal expert I am wondering if this will end up setting a precedent should it actually continue. If so, this will open up a Pandora's box for the airlines to be sued by passengers for lengthy delays that involve crews refusing to fly. Or for other reasons deemed deceitful.
The reality is that if the pilots didn't want to fly and operations approved this, they should have agreed to announce to passengers there was a mechanical issue and leave it at that. No one will argue it. If you're going to lie, at least lie well.
“ “pilots not comfortable flying due to rockets” probably isn’t a great look either.”
As a passenger I’d like that information in order to decide if I wanted to continue with the trip. Especially in light of your Alaska post. If crews are balking at flying to Tel Aviv due to concerns about missile activity that means the return flights are also at risk. In addition to any concerns about being shot down.
As a retired Flight Attendant with over 47 years in the industry No Flight is worth the lives of all onboard an aircraft and the Flight Crew has the responsibility of protecting all onboard with all that is going on in the World today my opinion is better Safe than Sorry and yes communication obviously was not at its best.
Yes, I agree. Common welfare wins.
...please follow up on this topic. I would like to see the verdict