Andie MacDowell Finds No Sympathy Among Fans: ‘Lesson Learned’

Cedar Cove star Andie MacDowell was reminded what it’s like to live like the little people once more and she clearly did not like it, because she let everyone know about it. Literally, everyone. Ms. MacDowell was bumped from first class to coach on a recent flight and the move obviously didn’t sit well with the actress, because, in addition to complaining to airline personnel, Andie also ranted at the passengers she was forced to sit with in the coach section. Clearly, that didn’t alleviate her sense of outrage, because Ms. MacDowell also filled up her social media accounts with similar rants.

Don’t Mess With Andie MacDowell And Her Pooch

Traveling from Charlotte to Myrtle Beach, Ms. MacDowell paid for her first class fare and also paid for allowances for her dog, but, when she arrived early to ensure she and her pet received the required service and assistance, Andie says she was met with a rude, inconsiderate American Airlines representative. Even from the beginning, the actress says the individual was rude and mean.

“HELP I paid for first class & they put me in tourist because of my dog that I pre-booked & paid for,” MacDowell posted in a tweet.

The Groundhog Day actress added that she asked to change seats, rather than be bumped to coach, but even that seemed to anger the American Airlines employee. He declined, telling her to either take the seat he instructed her to take or not take the flight at all.

American Airlines offered to reimburse Ms. MacDowell for the difference in cost between the coach and first class seats, which the actress accepted and stated that she would donate to the Charleston children’s literacy organization, which she had been helping to promote.

Cedar Cove Actress Andie MacDowell Rants To Her Followers, But Their Reactions Were Not What She Expected

Andie was irate enough at the time of the incident with American Airlines that she took her injustice to Twitter, tweeting her outrage over the forced change of seats, but her followers were less than supportive. Twitter users were quick to respond, showing Andie that they were offended by the perceived insinuation that she was better than those who usually travel in the coach section.

“@AndieMacDowell3 @AmericanAir the horror!!! TOURIST class,” one user wrote.

“You shouldn’t be forced to sit with filth. You are above us,” tweeted Matty Fresh.

“@AndieMacDowell3 Oh! Poor baby. Forced to sit with the unwashed masses,” added Jim Collins

Upon reading the replies her tweets generated, Ms. MacDowell clarified her position in further tweets. She explained that her outrage had little to do with whom she was seated with and more to do with the treatment she received at the hands of American Airlines employees. Andie said that her primary point in posting the tweets was that she had not received the services for which she had already paid and that she was also offended by attitude of the airline associate handling her boarding.

“I’m very happy flying in coach I’m happy on a bus or the subway but if I play (sic) for first class, that’s where I want to be, that was the point […] Lessons learned never, complain on Twitter & don’t pay for first class on American Airlines, only express gratitude…can we move on now.”

The pet traveling with Andie was a rescue dog and this was the animal’s first flight, so the actress was hoping for a more positive experience for the puppy. Regardless, Ms. MacDowell said she’s moved on and found the incident to be a learning experience, adding that she felt it was just a case of one bad egg and that the entire airline should not be judged by that one person.

[Featured image by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for L’Oreal Paris]