Former Fox News anchor Melissa Francis has publicly criticized American Airlines after claiming the carrier moved her from first class to coach and initially refused to provide a refund.
Francis, 53, detailed the experience in a post on X on Wednesday, expressing anger about how the situation was handled at the airport.
The former journalist, who is now chief executive of media company Sailfish Productions, said she had purchased a first-class ticket but discovered at the gate that her assigned seat had been changed.
Francis claimed she paid for first class but was moved to coach without receiving an immediate refund for the difference.
“I absolutely HATE American Airlines,” she wrote before describing what happened.
Francis questions how the airline handled her complaint
According to Francis, a gate agent told her that similar seat changes happened regularly.
When Francis requested a refund, she said the employee declined and advised her either to contact the airline by telephone or complain publicly on X. Francis claimed the agent recommended posting online because customers were unlikely to receive an answer by phone.
The former anchor interpreted the employee’s alleged response as evidence of a wider problem and accused the airline of using the practice to increase revenue. No evidence beyond Francis’ account was provided to establish that claim.
Francis also said she had experienced problems involving TSA lines while traveling with American Airlines.
“Neither of these problems have once happened to me on any other airline,” she wrote.
Her frustration was strong enough that she said she would rather walk than purchase another ticket with the carrier.
However, Francis acknowledged that avoiding American Airlines may be difficult because it is the only airline serving some routes from her home.
American Airlines responds publicly
American Airlines replied beneath Francis’ X post and apologized for her experience.
“We’re really sorry to hear this happened,” the airline wrote, adding that the incident did not reflect the experience it wanted customers to have.
The company asked Francis to send a direct message containing her confirmation code so representatives could examine both the seat change and her concerns involving TSA PreCheck.
“We’d like the opportunity to review what’s going on and help where we can,” the response continued.
The Daily Mail said it contacted both Francis and American Airlines for additional comment.
The airline’s public response indicated that it planned to review her specific reservation, but the information provided did not confirm whether she ultimately received a refund.
From child actress to media executive
Before entering television journalism, Francis worked as an actress and played Cassandra on Little House on the Prairie.
She later became a Fox News anchor before moving into her current position as chief executive of Sailfish Productions.
Her complaint drew attention amid several other controversies and customer-service issues involving American Airlines.
In July, hundreds of travelers aboard nine aircraft were reportedly kept at Raleigh-Durham International Airport for as long as three hours. During the previous winter, another flight was delayed for more than 15 hours before being canceled.
Customers also expressed frustration in August after the airline modified an upgrade benefit. On selected Hawaii and transcontinental flights, frequent flyers are now placed on upgrade lists for premium economy rather than elite business-class seats.
Why Melissa Francis left Fox News and what is she doing now
Her sudden disappearance, the pay-discrimination complaint and the reported settlement—carefully attributed rather than presented as an undisputed fact.
Today, Francis identifies herself as a journalist and filmmaker and serves as CEO of Sailfish Productions. That would explain what she is doing now and show how she created a new professional chapter after leaving cable news.
Then the American Airlines incident can serve as the current-news opening before moving into her broader story. So yes—we have enough documented information to turn it into a more complete profile about her life, Fox departure and present career.
