Man had his lifetime first class ticket removed mid-flight after he cost the airline $21,000,000

One man was banned from flying after he cost an airline a fortune with his lifetime first class ticket.

Many would undoubtedly take advantage of the opportunity to purchase a lifetime first class ticket for a fraction of its actual price.

It would mean no more crammed seats, crying children and long queues - what a dream!

Back in 1981, American Airlines introduced the AAirpass. It was a prepaid membership that offered discounted flights to frequent travellers.

Then, for $250,000, travellers could purchase unlimited first-class travel for either five years - or pay a bit more for a lifetime of luxury in the sky.

However, the offer didn't take off as the airline hoped it would as only 66 people purchased the original AAirpass.

But one of them, Chicago-based financier Steven Rothstein, became infamous for how far he took the deal.

'He flew so much it paid for itself' (Caroline Rothstein)

In 1987, Rothstein upgraded to the lifetime option. Two years later, he added the $150,000 'companion pass,' which allowed him to fly with a guest.

Over the years, he flew constantly and became well-known among flight crews.

In one news article, his daughter Caroline Rothstein wrote: "A quarter of a million dollars gave him access to fly first class anywhere in the world on American for the rest of his life. He flew so much it paid for itself."

But in 2008, Rothstein's golden ticket was seized.

During a time of financial instability, American Airlines created a 'revenue integrity unit' to investigate whether the AAirpass program was costing more than it was worth.

It turns out that Rothstein and another member, named Jacques Vroom, were costing the airline about $1 million a year in travel.

Without warning, in December 2008, the airline pulled the plug on Rothstein’s pass.

Rothstein tried to sue American Airlines in 2011 (Kevin Carter / Contributor / Getty)

He learned this when he was reportedly stranded at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and handed a letter accusing him of 'fraudulent behaviour.'

But Rothstein didn’t go down without a fight. He denied any wrongdoing and tried to sue American Airlines in 2011.

While the court sided with the airline, the case was settled privately in 2012.

"They told me that they viewed the AAirpass like a bond, so it was as if I was lending the airline money, and they needed money," Rothstein told Forbes in 2019. "So they gave me a very good deal."

He insists he used the pass to help others, adding: "I gave a man in Seattle a ticket to go to his father’s funeral. I gave many people tickets to visit ill family members. I don’t view that as philanthropy, I view that as good deeds."

After the fallout, Rothstein decided to ditch American Airlines altogether and switched his loyalty to United Airlines.