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Three aircraft in succession experienced maintenance issues, resulting in a six-hour delay. The original aircraft required replacement, and the substitute aircraft arrived more than two hours late. Passengers boarded that aircraft, only to be told later to deplane due to maintenance concerns. We then boarded a different aircraft that had arrived at the gate, only to be instructed to deplane once again because it, too, experienced maintenance issues. After hours of delays and two separate boarding and deplaning events, passengers were directed to a third aircraft departing from a different terminal and had to rush across the airport to make that flight. That was the only aircraft that ultimately departed without incident. Of course, passenger safety must come first, and I am grateful these issues were identified before takeoff. However, when three aircraft in succession require maintenance attention and passengers are repeatedly boarded before those issues are discovered, it raises legitimate concerns about American Airlines' preventive maintenance procedures and aircraft readiness checks. One aircraft with an unexpected issue can happen. Three aircraft in a row, combined with multiple boarding and deplaning events, suggests a pattern that warrants review. American Airlines needs to take a hard look at both its maintenance practices and its decision-making process for boarding passengers before determining that an aircraft is ready for service.

Delay for 1 hour due to maintenance issue and late boarding

Flight attendant super rude demanding I remove my carry on baggage from overhead and place under seat. I stated I am an ADA passenger and need the leg room as the seats are very tight. That’s why I boarded early for the extra time to get situated. She said, we need the space. I replied “How can that be as only a few passengers have boarded so far? I am executive platinum status so I understand the rules and you are discriminating against ADA federal law. Please stop”. Her answer… then you should find another flight! Not ok. Addressed with senior flight attendant. So unprofessional and discriminatory.

I have posted the comments in the first flight leg.

Nothing was good about this flight. Although the flight actually departed more than 3 hours late, due to “air traffic control management” we pushed back from gate 2 hours and 20 minutes late and proceeded to sit 100 yards from gate for and then n tarmac for another 1/2 hour additional 20 minutes

The flight was delayed significantly. Communication during the flight was abrupt and caused some panic as we were navigating turbulence. It was also too loud and every announcement felt startling. The flight attendants did not offer any assurances and I felt unsettled most of the flight. The seats, floor and tray table was very dirty. The seat next to me was broken and the passenger sitting there was very uncomfortable. He had a spring in his back and his seat made terrible squeaking noises through the flight.

Flight to Tampa was delayed taking off due to plane arriving late but no other issues

We experienced gate changes and a long delay. My seat was dirty when I boarded and I had to use wipes to clean it myself. There was an unpleasant and overpowering cleaning product scent on the plane as well that lingered through the flight.

The Airline was not prepared for weather delays. We were held up due to an incoming flight being delayed and so we did not have a flight crew. This caused an extra delay for departure by 2 hours.

Even though we left CMI late, we mostly made up the time.