by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:50 AM ET, Fri February 27, 2026
A new voice is entering the scene surrounding American aviation, with the Deputy White House Chief of Staff James Blair telling the world on X (formerly Twitter) that he’ll take a “new interest” in the U.S. aviation industry after experiencing issues with an airline.
The post from February 26 reads, “Today, American Airlines delays me 2.5 hours because someone failed to notice empty hydraulic fluid before it was time to go down the runway. Yesterday, they apparently forgot to BOOK A PILOT for my wife’s flight. I’m going to take a new interest in the airline industry.”
According to Reuters, American Airlines’ reliability has been lagging this year, with trouble spots in on-time performance and the highest cancellation rate compared to Southwest, Alaska, United and Delta.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who worked under President Joe Biden, replied on X, noting, “You could begin by restoring the passenger rights work you rolled back - and then seriously enforce airline laws, like we did. Trust me, it gets results!”
Buttigieg, during his time in office, levied the largest amount in fines on airlines for noncompliance with the law, specifically when it came to disabled travelers and operational problems that left travelers stranded.
Under Trump, the FAA has been taking a different approach, waiving Southwest’s $11 million remaining fine for its 2022 operational issues that stranded over two million people was waived, as well as the $16.7 million in fines against American Airlines for their mistreatment of mobility aids, including wheelchairs.
Additionally, the Trump Administration has been withdrawing Biden-era proposals that would require airlines to pay passengers in cash when they’re responsible for flight disruptions and strengthen consumer protection rules.
It is unclear what Blair expects to do with the aviation industry.
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