A disgruntled American Airlines passenger is suing the company for $5 million – over a $25 baggage fee.
Danielle Covarrubias was livid when the airline refused to refund her the baggage fee after they lost her luggage containing possessions worth $800.
The incident took place last May when Covarrubias was flying from Seattle to Michigan with Covarrubias’ lawsuit 200,000 times more expensive than the initial refund she requested.
In a statement released through her lawyers, the angry American said: “American Airlines is just another example of how companies have forgotten about customer service.
“When American charges a fee for a baggage service it should deliver your bag, unharmed, or give you a refund.”
It’s thought this is the first case of its kind since American Airlines introduced the baggage fee in 2008 with the company charging $25 for the first checked bag, $35 for the second, $100 for the third, fourth and fifth pieces, and $200 for every bag thereafter.
The baggage fee is a big earner for the airline, raking in $400 million a year.
If Covarrubia is successful with the groundbreaking case it could set a dangerous precedent for the aviation industry as court papers show American Airlines loses or delays more than 2,400 items of luggage a day.
