The multimillionaire CEO of one of America’s most popular airlines has been slammed for advising travelers to purchase multiple plane tickets as a way to protect themselves from flight cancelations caused by the government shutdown.
Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle is recommending that travelers purchase a ‘backup ticket’ on a different airline in case their flight gets canceled or delayed in light of the Federal Aviation Association slashing thousands of flights.
Biffle, who earns $8.5 million annually, issued the ‘tone deaf’ advice on social media Thursday, just hours before the FAA cutbacks were expected to take effect.
Instead of offering assurances to passengers, he urged anyone who cannot afford to have travel disruptions to purchase more flights.
‘If you are headed to a wedding, funeral or something you must be somewhere for in the next few days – given the risk of flights cancelling I would suggest passengers buy a backup ticket on another carrier that departs after the first ticket,’ he said.
‘That way if your flight cancels you have an immediate backup.’
The CEO noted that Frontier, like other airlines, will put disrupted travelers on the next available flight, but warned that ‘may not be until after your event’.
Although he apologized for the disruption, Biffle said the FAA’s cutbacks are ‘necessary until the government shutdown is ended’.
Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle (pictured in 2016) is recommending that travelers purchase a ‘backup ticket’ on a different airline in case their flight gets canceled or delayed
Biffle is one of the highest paid airline CEOs in the country and lives in a $3.5 million mansion in Longmont, Colorado (pictured)
Travelers wait in line at a security checkpoint at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois on Friday after thousands of flights were canceled across the US
Biffle admitted that passengers whose flights are canceled have ‘high’ chances of being stranded.
In addition to buying a back-up ticket, the CEO advised passengers to shell out for premium flights so they can reuse the ticket value or get a credit with the airline.
‘Make sure you buy a backup that is changeable into a credit or full refund. If you don’t need the insurance keep the credit for your next flight,’ he said.
His advice was immediately criticized by social media users who alleged Biffle’s post demonstrates that Frontier does not care about its passengers.
‘Refundable tickets aren’t just a few extra bucks – they can be hundreds of dollars more, one outraged Instagram user wrote.
‘For families, students, and working-class travelers flying on budget airlines like Frontier, that’s the difference between being able to travel and staying home.’
She added that urging travelers to ‘plan ahead’ when the entire system is broken is ‘deflection’ and ‘shifts blame from the corporation and the FAA to the customer.’
‘Isn’t it embarrassing as an airline CEO to have to post this?’ an X user questioned, before admitting: ‘It’s good advice from him I guess.’
An inoperable kiosk is seen at Frontier’s check-in gate at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta on Friday as travelers queue to speak with an agent
Travelers wait for their flights amid nationwide cancellations and delays at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on Friday
‘About what I would expect from an out of touch multi-millionaire. “Just buy two expensive a** tickets”,’ echoed another.
‘Impractical since it costs money to buy tickets and there still is no guarantee you get to fly,’ another replied.
One X user added: ‘How about we demand that essential services like air traffic controllers and the military are paid no matter what? Congress can give them their money.’
Frontier is one of America’s most popular low-cost air carriers where passengers are typically able to secure tickets for below-market average prices, but are charged for every additional benefit of flying.
Passengers are required to pay for carry-on and checked bags, seat selection, priority boarding and any in-flight food or beverages.
Biffle has served as CEO of the low-cost air carrier since March 2016 and as president since July 2014. He also sits on Frontier’s Board of Directors.
He is one the highest-paid airline executives in the country and received a total compensation package valued at more than $8.5 million in 2023, according to the Economic Research Institute.
His salary was awarded as cash, equity, pensions and other compensation forms.
Biffle also lives in a $3.5 million mansion in Longmont, Colorado, according to property records reviewed by the Daily Mail.
Biffle issued his tone deaf advice on social media Thursday, just hours before the FAA cutbacks were expected to take effect
Biffle received a total compensation package valued at more than $8.5 million in 2023. Pictured his $8.5 million Colorado mansion
The FAA’s order to scale back flights nationwide because of the record-long government shutdown took effect Friday morning, leaving passengers scrambling.
The FAA said the reductions would start at four percent Friday and ramp up to ten percent by November 14.
Cuts have been made at 40 airports across the country and impact all commercial airlines.
Airlines are working to adjust their schedules and began canceling flights Thursday in anticipation of the FAA’s official order.
But travelers with plans for the weekend and beyond continue to wait nervously to learn if their flights would take off as scheduled.
Travelers are turning to other methods of transportation in a bid to avoid as much disruption as possible.
Hertz told the Daily Mail that the company has received a 20 percent year-over-year increase in one-way rentals over the past two days
One impacted passenger, a top cosmetic surgery whose scheduled flight from Newark Airport was canceled overnight, opted to drive roughly 2,100 miles to Utah instead so that she can make it to her final destination by Tuesday.
Frontier is one of America’s most popular low-cost air carriers where passengers are typically able to secure tickets for below-market average prices, but are charged for every additional benefit of flying. Frontier passengers are seen at the check-in counter in Atlanta on Friday
Airlines have planned cancellations into the weekend and are directing passengers to check apps to learn their flight status.
The Department of Transportation requires air carriers to refund customers whose flights are canceled.
But airlines are not obligated to cover secondary costs such as food and hotel accommodations unless a delay or cancellation results from a contributing factor that is within their control.
The FAA said the cutbacks are necessary to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who’ve been working without pay for more than a month.
Many are pulling six-day work weeks with mandatory overtime, and increasing numbers of them have begun calling out as the financial strain and exhaustion mount.
The Daily Mail has approached Frontier Airlines for comment.
