American Airlinesâ Stroke Protocol: LOL, Nope, Flight First!
In a saga no one asked for, Jesus Plasencia and Ana Maria Marcela Tavantzis faced an $11 million struggle after his November 2021 stroke onboard American Flight 68 from Miami to Madrid. At the gate, Jesus lost speech and phone grip skills, prompting Ana Mariaâs heroic alert. Instead of dialing medical pros or sipping sympathy, the pilot reportedly joked with Jesus and paved the way for takeoffâthe very trip that took Jesus from a chef who could chop onions to someone needing daily care. Following a 6-day trial and a 2-year courtroom drama, a California jury fined American Airlines for ignoring stroke protocols, awarding $13.28 million, later docked for partial plaintiff fault but resulting in $11 million owed. The crewâs towering negligence over the Atlantic makes this a painfully literal âhigh stakesâ medical mishap, with American Airlines mysteriously silent post-verdict.
Share the Story
When your pilot thinks âstroke symptomsâ are just funny props for airplane jokes, you know American Airlines really took âfly or dieâ literally. $11M later, talk about a costly takeoff.
American Airlines apparently thinks the only thing worse than a mid-air stroke is interrupting the pilotâs comedy hour. Bonus: they get to pay millions for these unscheduled medical gigs!
Stroke at the gate, a pun-loving pilot, and $11 million later: turns out ignoring medical protocols is very bad for business, but great for courtroom drama.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 9/22/2025 | Author: Pete Syme
More Articles in US News
Single Mom Vacations Milan, Kid Stuck With Dad's Disco Nights
US Shutdown Hits 40 Days, Senators Finally Hustle Sunday AF
Thanksgiving Airlift Cancelled: Controllers Ditch Paychecks, Not Turkeys
Trump Fights Judge Over Food Stamps Like Itâs WWE Finals
Zuccotti Park Gets Christmas Glow-UpâBankers Cry Silent Tears
