Imposing an involuntary downgrade should be the very last resort. We're not told if they tried coercing those willing to accept a seat in the back with cash offers: but if they did, and were unsuccessful, they might have handed over a cash sum to the unfortunate prize-winners.

They might have done many things, handled the situation in a better way. But they didn't.


The ingrained BA logic led to the least cost, minimum kickback, approach. But it's blown up in the airline's face as yet another dark day for those managing its PR.

Smart of the travellers to get the press involved. I imagine those PR folk will be anxious to make sure the return trip goes well...