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Passenger's AirPods Max Giveaway to American Airlines Crew Raises Questions Over Gifts and Favoritism

American Airlines policy limits gifts to under $100, leaving the high-value gesture in a gray area.

Overview

  • A viral video shows a traveler handing AirPods Max to each flight attendant and the pilots on a five-hour A321neo flight.
  • Another passenger voluntarily swapped seats, moving the giver from row 37 to first-class seat 1D.
  • Audio in the clip captures a flight attendant saying she would "take care of him," intensifying concerns about preferential treatment.
  • Commentary ranges from praise to criticism that the stunt was orchestrated for engagement, with the same creator previously posting a similar Frontier Airlines giveaway.
  • American Airlines rules require gifts over $100 to be returned and ban cash and gift cards, and there has been no public report of discipline or a formal ruling tied to this flight.