Getting downgraded from first class is never fun. However, I’d say this is probably one of the more legitimate reasons for doing so…
In this post:
Joe Biden flies American first class from MSP to PHL
A Twitter/X user took to social media on June 28, 2025, to complain about being downgraded from first class on American flight AA2717, from Minneapolis (MSP) to Philadelphia (PHL).
The woman posted about how she’d “like to know who the government official is who bumped me out of my first class seat,” commenting “our tax dollars hard at work y’all,” with an angry emoji.
After the 2hr31min flight, she posted an update, realizing that the person who bumped her (or it seems, her husband) out of first class was Joe Biden. She commented about how “American Airlines is woke AF but Joe Biden signed my daughter’s birthday card so I guess it’s okay he bumped my husband out of first class.”
I’ve gotta say, the change in her perspective is quite interesting. Her Twitter/X account is super conservative, with a profile picture even showing books about math and science no longer being reachable, and instead being replaced by books about being gay.
Yet it doesn’t sound like she was actually being sarcastic about asking Biden to sign her daughter’s birthday card. She even took a picture with him while smiling, posted a picture of Biden posing with the crew, and shared a picture of him reading “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” by Thomas Cahill.
This is quite a change in attitude, because as recently as earlier this month, she posted on social media about how Biden is “trash.” Hey, it’s nice when people seemingly have positive interactions, and this kind of dialogue is a nice change of pace. Often meeting someone humanizes them. We have a lot more in common than we have differences.
This seems like a reasonable reason for a downgrade
Biden was in Minnesota to attend the funeral of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was tragically assassinated by a man posing as a police officer. Her husband was also killed.
With that in mind, obviously former presidents have security details, and I think just about any airline would accommodate them, as that seems entirely reasonable. I don’t think there’s anything “woke” here, and that the same thing would’ve happened regardless of the political party of the former president. Often there are security rules regarding where they can sit, etc.
This flight was operated by an Airbus A319, which is also American’s jet with the fewest first class seats, as there are only eight first class seats.
Upon arrival in Philadelphia, Biden was escorted down the stairs of the jet bridge, and into a waiting SUV. There were quite a few people crowded around the gate watching, so I imagine someone must have tipped people off to him being onboard.
Bottom line
Joe Biden flew American first class yesterday from Minneapolis to Philadelphia, after attending a funeral. Someone had to be downgraded from first class to accommodate a “government official,” and was initially angry. However, when she found out who it was, she changed her tune a bit, even though she definitely wasn’t a Biden fan. She still asked him for a picture and an autograph, and concluded that “I guess it’s okay.”
Given how divisive of a time it is, it’s actually nice to see an interaction like this…
Agree with many of the comments. He claims all the time how he takes Amtrack and is a regular guy. If there were no first class seats on that flight they should have chose another flight or flew economy. I don't see how this is reasonable to paying customers even if they paid in points or received the complementary upgrade, somehow they paid for it due to their status or having enough points, etc.
And we all know if this had been a former president Trump doing this this same story would be framed as "ORANGE MAN BAD!!!", just being his selfish self only concerned about himself and his ego...etc., etc.
Don't even try and deny it.
Read my comment. First comment at the very bottom. This is not uncommon. I'm a nobody. But, if someone is a Concierge Key, AA will bump another passenger (even in Flagship First) and put the CK in that seat.
Conservatives believe that private corporations should be allowed to do anything they want until one does something they disagree with.
And deranged TDS'ers believe this is cool, until Trump did this and then SHAZAM! it's the most evil and egotistical thing any former prez has ever done.
lol
Disagree about the downgrade being okay. if it is that important, bribe someone to downgrade. "We need to downgrade you, here is $1000 for the 3 hour flight. We good?"
The ex-president can also fly private. Or if security is an issue, fly him via military/gov't jet.
Treat everyone the same.
Obviously she'd never include this little detail in her rant but she did absolutely get compensated for the downgrade
I had an experience meeting Joe Biden while he was out of office…not like the lady in the post however. I was traveling back to Dallas from NorCal and had to connect in LAX due to the timing of my flights. I am CK (ending soon) and went to the Flagship Lounge and into the Flagship Dining area. While there and looking over the menu I heard a man talking to someone. I knew I...
I had an experience meeting Joe Biden while he was out of office…not like the lady in the post however. I was traveling back to Dallas from NorCal and had to connect in LAX due to the timing of my flights. I am CK (ending soon) and went to the Flagship Lounge and into the Flagship Dining area. While there and looking over the menu I heard a man talking to someone. I knew I knew that voice. I glanced around the corner and who was there - Joe Biden (July 22, 2018). He was 100% by himself. I was also the ONLY other person in Flagship Dining (besides staff). I couldn’t believe it. He was calling people to thank them for attending an event and such and such. I mustered the courage to go over to him and introduce myself. Mind you - he wasn’t in office or as far as almost everyone knew, not a candidate. No Secret Service to be seen or heard. I approached and introduce myself. Mind you I was post golf tournament in NorCal with 39 of my closest high school friends (our 23rd year of playing together - 40 of us is happening this July), but I’m older than 23 years post HS. My point - we have an amazing group of guys from 36 years ago that still gather each year,
I digress. Joe was so welcoming and wanting to talk. He asked me where I was coming from and where I was going. I shared. He then asked if my golf buddies would get a kick out of a picture of me and him - I didn’t even have to ask. I love the fact that I got to meet an American President (not while serving) but nonetheless. Cherished moment not everyone gets a chance to do.
The orange menace would have had his brownshirts (aka ICE) manacle you, shave your head, and frog March you to El Salvador, never to be heard from again.
Don't see how this is reasonable. If Biden needs to fly in first class then he needs to buy a first class ticket. Paying passengers should not be bumped out of first class by politicians especially when they are not even in office. I understand the security concerns all the more reason why this was poorly handled by whoever does his travel/security.
I agree his staff should have gotten he and his large entourage upgraded before the flight!!
While I appreciate him flying commercial, why does someone need to be kicked out of their seat to accommodate him, why didn’t they book a seat. Just book it under an alias?
He is not a government official, anymore, nor should anyone paying a first class ticket be booted for any government official? They serve the people and work for us. If they feel they are more important to than those they serve, that is a problem, regardless of who they are.
I think many people's attitudes change in person with a real human being, compared to what they say when the person isn't around. I've never really quite understood it. The person who hates gays until their child comes out, then eventually realizes gay people are okay. Ditto for accepting people of other religions, political parties, gender, or nationalities. It's like some people can't imagine how to be empathetic for another's situation until they actually meet...
I think many people's attitudes change in person with a real human being, compared to what they say when the person isn't around. I've never really quite understood it. The person who hates gays until their child comes out, then eventually realizes gay people are okay. Ditto for accepting people of other religions, political parties, gender, or nationalities. It's like some people can't imagine how to be empathetic for another's situation until they actually meet a live human being in that situation.
Maybe since we evolved with "face to face" interactions, and not "mass anonymous" interactions online, we don't know how to have traits such as kindness and empathy except face to face. Or maybe, as is often said, much of the online hatred isn't human at all but is astrotufers and bots.
Trump wouldn’t ever need to do this, as he is a true success in life (owns his own plane, succeeded in life before politics). I agree with other comments, public servants should NOT be able to bump paying customers.
Fred Trump was a success, Donald took his inherited wealth and made less than he could have by just putting it all in a basic index fund.
booo
This is absolutely true, @chasgoose.
Well, now I will never fly American Airlines again. Absolutely disgusting and I wouldn’t move for that guy for all the money in the world. Shame on American Airlines. Stick him in coach. He has always said he’s just an average guy…except when he wants something. He doesn’t even deserve coach.
Was it ever discovered what they inject Joe with in order to keep him awake?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VTJpjMtdRU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAEXKwQ1f9M
If you watch the videos above, I hope it's not too much ask to go back to those times.
In the words of Lincoln, "Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection."
Honestly, as destructive as Biden and his ilk have been to our nation…
Bumping Joe Biden into the forward cabin of American probably simplifies security and PR concerns, for AA and the Former President’s (which is a position historically honored) and the democrats SS Security Detachment could or may have, for such a though I won’t say it, “high” profile individual.
With all that money he and his family took from foreign governments he couldn't buy his own first class ticket?
Surely Netjets could have transported him. Buffett could have organized it in no time.
He's a sick old man and should get some consideration despite what he may or may not have done.
Hmmm, kinda makes you realize that was all bullshit propaganda.
Hmmm, kinda makes you realize that was just propaganda.
Or he might have been on George Soros' jet! It was all a load of baloney invented to smear Biden, unlike a number of allegations against Trump that have withstood being tested in a court of law.
amen to that!!!!
Lost in all this back and forth is that Biden made time to attend the funeral of the assassinated state leader. More than the current occupant could be bothered to do… he wouldn’t even call the governor to see if the state needed any assistance because he’s still butthurt about being called “weird” during the campaign. You may not like Biden’s policies, but you can’t deny the moral difference between the two.
Well, President Trump does have a job that keeps him quite busy. Former President Biden does not. Also lost is any mention of the fact that the alleged murderer was a political appointee of Gov. Walz to a Minnesota state board.
I am blown away by your narrow-mindedness. Such actions are historically normal, in office or not. A President leads by example, and Donald Trump could have recognized the need to defuse the Minnesota tragedy. Whether or not you like the former President, he was selfless in this act and I am impressed that he flew commercial, regardless of class of service.
Trump was busy golfing.
Nailed it
I could never understand how a political figure can approach the stage of a political rally like Chris Farley but call JD Vance Weird... and get not even see the irony.
Moral difference?? Have you not followed the antics of the Biden family???? where have you been in the last 5 years???
I'm OK with this. The larger issue is why any former President -- regardless of political affiliation -- is flying commercial due to security issues and security agents accompanying the former official. Surely the US government fleet must have capacity to accommodate these travel concerns, as long as it isn't to a political event: Then cost of government transport should be charged to whatever campaign is involved.
Perhaps that person was downgraded because the former President's office booked that ticket last minute, maybe intentionally for security purposes.
I assume the date of the funeral was known beforehand. It is often last minute that such high officials choose whether to attend or not, especially given Biden's age where anything small could come up last minute that could make traveling not a good idea. Maybe Biden chose to go last minute. Since the...
Perhaps that person was downgraded because the former President's office booked that ticket last minute, maybe intentionally for security purposes.
I assume the date of the funeral was known beforehand. It is often last minute that such high officials choose whether to attend or not, especially given Biden's age where anything small could come up last minute that could make traveling not a good idea. Maybe Biden chose to go last minute. Since the aircraft is an A319 with only 8 first class seats, maybe first class was already sold out days in advance. Or, since he was flying commercial, I assume its highly likely that the Secret Service wouldn't want his ticket bought beforehand because otherwise a number of people at AA would have access to that information, and it is a reasonable assumption that such information will be shared among others if found and would potentially be leaked, which is a security risk for the president. Thats my thought process at least.
It speaks volumes that Ben is ok with this!
But we do know from other postings.
Look at my comment. It's the first. Way at the bottom. It happens all of the time for non-celebrities.
Whether you love him or loathe him he was, after all, the President of the United States, and former presidents retain a certain mystique about them.
That birthday card will be worth coin in the future, particularly with such an unusual story behind it.
Worth coin?? That autograph is worth nothing now; it will be worth even less in the future.
Did he use the autopen to sign the birthday card? Honest question.
Dr. Jill flew private...
:: opens the comments gently ::
Biden doesn’t have a staff who knows how to make airline arrangements?
Regardless of whether you supported/liked a POTUS, it's still cool to meet the POTUS and have him take the time to take a photo with you/sign a card. I think that's what changed her attitude.
It’s “okay” now because she got something out of her interaction with the former President. I imagine she would have written a more insulting post if he hadn’t signed her daughter’s b-day card.
Imagine asking Trump to take this flight.
Or sign a birthday card for a kid.
He certainly wouldn't want to anything for a loser like you.
President Trump would sign the card and host the kid at the WH!!!
Trump is a billionaire and doesn't need to fly commercial. Would he sign a kid's birthday card? He probably would. He's known for mingling with the guests at his club in Florida, being photographed with them, etc. Any publicity is good publicity.
Is Trump a billionaire? Not since the 80s, right Pete?
Unfortunately, Trump is a billionaire again thanks to his stock and crypto schemes fleeing his supporters.
He's definitely a billionaire, at least according to the estimations of Bloomberg and Forbes.
I’m conservative. Didn’t vote for Biden. But, I respect the office of President. I have no issues with any former President being moved to first class, even if I was bumped as a result. Same in my opinion for any Medal of Honor recipient.
You and I must have voted for the same guy last November. Agree with you about giving up the seat. What more can you do except politely get out of the seat and say "Let's go Brandon"
I’m conservative. Didn’t vote for Biden. But, I respect the office of President. I have no issues with any former President being moved to first class, even if I was bumped as a result. Same in my opinion for any Medal of Honor recipient.
What does security have to do with the class of service? If the only space available is in Y, that's where the person and their bodyguards should end up.
Because 1/2 the oils in Y would shout abuse and make a nuisance of themselves. Not worth the hassle for an airline.
Maybe that's an American thing- in Europe it's absolutely normal for politicians, including serving prime ministers and the like, to be seen in public transport, and occasionally some even go as far as getting aides and journalists to take photos of them in Y for the purposes of virtue signalling around their so very fiscally responsible choice to rough it out for a couple of hours.
This is because Biden is not smart enough to secure his own 747 while he was still in office. So glad he is not running he country.
So spending taxpayer money to fix a gifted 747 and then keeping it as your own after your term is smart? Interesting take. I'm glad Joe didn't waste our money on something unnecessary like that.
Just think, a condom would’ve taken care of this comment
You immediately lost your argument about how “smart” he is when you post:
“So glad he is not running he country”
That woman is an awful human being.
why? because she disagrees with your opinion and you cant handle that?
As a Republican, I am OK with this. He is a former President with a security detail. Surprised his office didn't take care of this beforehand.
Woke?
There is nothing woke about this.
This is purely nepotism crony patronage.
Social class discrimination favoring the elite.
He earned his right to burn tax payers money.
The airline reserves its right to suck up to politicians.
He literally ruined America. This should never have happened.
who told you he did?
Sure Jan. Trump is doing it single handed. He’s a disgusting troglodyte, as if everyone should supports him and that junta.
Not a word about the Hortmans. Played golf.
Lol, more deflection from you MAGA folks. You're not fooling anyone.
I was on Amtrak Acela from NYC to DC a few months ago in first. Michelle Obama was in my train car. When we arrived we Union Station, they had everyone in our car exit out the door not near where she was sitting, then she exited to a waiting SUV, then the other train cars were allowed to exit.
It was quite low-key. Additional secret service members boarded in Baltimore and were in...
I was on Amtrak Acela from NYC to DC a few months ago in first. Michelle Obama was in my train car. When we arrived we Union Station, they had everyone in our car exit out the door not near where she was sitting, then she exited to a waiting SUV, then the other train cars were allowed to exit.
It was quite low-key. Additional secret service members boarded in Baltimore and were in plainclothes but their earpieces gave it away. That, and they were in good shape, unlike the rest of us!
I hope they at least comped the bumped passenger with another complimentary first class flight. I get that it's a former President and he was at a funeral etc. but they DID pay for first class (unless they were up there on a free upgrade, and if so, they still should get *something*.)
@ Chris -- Yeah, there are published policies for how downgrades should be handled, so the passenger should've been entitled to some compensation.
I once saw George Bush 41 being whisked on a UA golf cart at ORD.
Boy, that's privilege!
A few quick things:
-We are all human beings first and foremost. Who cares about politics.
-Aside from Joe Biden, Jimmy Carter is the only other former president I can recall that has flown commercial; I don't recall any other former president flying commercial.
-Why does everything have to be left vs right, libs vs cons? Why can't we just go back to a place of reasonable?!
@ Mike O. -- All good points! Though for what it's worth, I've also seen plenty of pictures of Clinton flying commercial.
Fair enough hence mentioning that I can recall ;)
Forgot to mention George W. flying First Class on CX to LA 15 years ago or so. I guess domestically is what I was focused on, but still commercial nonetheless so that's on me.
I love this comment, but sadly I think there's not much that will take us back to the boring old politics of yesteryear. The problem is that there is way too much money and power invested in American politics, and the people with that money and power will do anything to keep it. Citizens United made it way worse.
The funny thing is, the vast majority of Americans believe that money shouldn't be so much...
I love this comment, but sadly I think there's not much that will take us back to the boring old politics of yesteryear. The problem is that there is way too much money and power invested in American politics, and the people with that money and power will do anything to keep it. Citizens United made it way worse.
The funny thing is, the vast majority of Americans believe that money shouldn't be so much a part of politics, but that doesn't make news because of, well, see above.
Love this comment! Humans! I think most of us forget that sometimes, that we bleed the same color.
I saw George Bush Sr. and Barbara Bush board last and sat in the bulkhead of first class on my Continental Airlines flight from IAH to BOS. I believe this was back in 2008.
I'm old enough to remember Richard Nixon flying commercial to CA while he was in office.
there is nothing woke about bumping a paying "regular' passenger for a former President.
It is bad policy and, as noted, where are all of the security people that should be accompanying him?
and for the comment in the embedded video, Biden didn't lose because he can't carry his bag down the jetway.
He lost because he couldn't string together multiple sentences in a debate a year ago.
Oh please you’re just upset he didn’t fly DL to one of their hubs.
And if DL was the one who did it…you’d sing a different tune. Pathetic.
Pete …. and the point of your response to TD’s post is? Yes, I thought so “Pathetic” just so that “You’d sing a different tune”.
I just love commenting in contradiction of the TD ‘fan clubbers’. Poor little demented souls …. :-)
That's such a weird comment about why Biden lost. chump is even more incapable of stringing a sentence together much less two together, given his senility and functional illiteracy, yet he won.
Biden did not lose at all. He has a 100% win rate in presidential general elections for which he stood.
Other than that, though TD is absolutely correct: it's candy-ass monarchy shit to bump paying customers for a politician, even if they were president once. Like all govt jobs, presidents are public servants and they should not be allowed to forget it. For that matter, get the presidential portraits out of post offices and govt...
Biden did not lose at all. He has a 100% win rate in presidential general elections for which he stood.
Other than that, though TD is absolutely correct: it's candy-ass monarchy shit to bump paying customers for a politician, even if they were president once. Like all govt jobs, presidents are public servants and they should not be allowed to forget it. For that matter, get the presidential portraits out of post offices and govt buildings. No one asked for your ugly mug staring down at us every time we access a public service, this is a democratic republic and you're not Kim Jong Un, you're just another asshole, doesn't matter which party you're in.
Anyone who's worked for an airline knows that there are specific policies about where politicians / royalty with government-employed protection officers are allowed to sit on an aircraft. It applies to low cost carriers as well as 'mainline' airlines. Normally it's in the front row of the cabin. That's probably why he would have been seated where he was.
@David
Pre assign seats they allowed to sit in?
Sounds like basic economy to me.
New sentences start with capital letters.
michael,
I'm not running for president or debating for the position.
Tim, then can you dispel the rumour that you are still using a steam powered golf-ball typewriter, connected to a cathode ray tube monitor, via a left handed metric adjustable gizmo? …. :-)
bingissimo
Micheal, it could be a deliberate ploy to display authenticity, there are many who have misappropriated the subject character’s login credentials …. :-)
The more impressive fact here for me is that Joe flew commercial, like real people.
He also rides Amtrak. (Not sure if Acela is for real people, but still Amtrak nonetheless)
They told him he was flying private...he doesn't have a clue what the hell is going on.
Now that is a baseless, if indeed not asinine, reply.
I don’t like him but good on him for flying commercial
I'm surprised that any former President would be allowed to fly commercial. Don't they have a security detail? Wouldn't that require that some of the security detail be seated in the same cabin?
I use to see Jimmy Carter on commercial flights all the time
Jimmy Carter renounced his Secret Service protection.
Half of these commenters would be better served at an open mic Klan event. TRump is garbage and so are you.
Seriously, this POS didn't even accept a $400M plane bribe from one of them tErRoRiSt countries! The gall of this man!
I was booked in Flagship First on a particular flight. Prior to boarding, it was determined that my assigned seat was broken. Being a Concierge Key, AA moved another passenger booked in Flagship First to business and gave me that passenger's seat. It was not something that I asked for. AA just did it. I don't see anything particularly "different" in this story.
Did Biden book first class? Was there a broken seat in first class? I don't see any relevance to your comparison at all. if Biden and his team had all booked first class then why were people needing to be bumped? either the Biden team didn't book first class or AA screwed up.