Actor Takes Airlines to Court After Pinky Gets Stuck in Seat Armrest

Actor Takes Airlines to Court After Pinky Gets Stuck in Seat Armrest

A Freaky Flight Foot-fumble: Stephen Keys’ Pinky Dilemma

In a bizarre twist that looks straight out of a sitcom, actor Stephen Keys found his pinky finger muting in the armrest of a first‑class cabin, triggering a reality‑check that involved firefighters, a mechanic and a whole lot of uncomfortable eye‑rolling.

The Incident

It all happened on September 9th, when Keys was on a Reno‑to‑Los Angeles run with American Airlines and its partner SkyWest. While clambing his arm over the seat belt, his pinky slipped into a tiny perforation under the armrest and got stuck. The spring embedded in that cavity yanked at the toe‑big toe, leaving swelling, pain and a palpably “uh‑uh” sensation in the air.

From Class to Comedy

  • Passengers watched as Key’s pinky became the center of a very awkward spectacle.
  • The pilot flapped his wings and the crew tried everything to help.
  • Firefighters on board strutted in, jaws on the floor (literally).
  • Finally, a savvy airline mechanic pulled apart the armrest like a game of Jenga and freed the little limb.

Legal Fallout

Keys has now turned the accident into a lawsuit. He claims the incident caused him severe emotional distress and weeks of agony, making even simple things—like playing with his kids—feel like a grand challenge.

The suit, filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, names both American Airlines Inc. and SkyWest Airlines Inc. as alleged culprits. In a classic legal thumbs‑up, the airlines have bounced back questions to each other, but SkyWest remains tight‑lipped about the case.

What’s Next?

As the legal drama unfolds, it’s a good reminder that even luxury can hover near the lines of absurdity. Passengers, airplanes, and perhaps the pinky—let’s keep a safe distance. And for Keys? One can hope his next flight might be a bit less… flexed.