BA offloads couple at Portuguese military base over business class row [LGW-KIN]
#136
formerly southsidesilver
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Diego,CA
Programs: BA Gold, UA Silver, HH Diamond
Posts: 996
But if you're (hypothetically) selfish/stupid enough to try on such a stunt, my suggestions for how the crew responds would make you think twice. Especially if warned that such overly disruptive behaviour could also lead to criminal charges and/or an emergency diversion for medical or security reasons....
Same goes for everything in life most of the time. If you want to sit in business class, work hard, earn money and pay for it.
If you don't then buy an economy ticket and that's the deal.
I don't earn a lot of money, but I buy business class tickets because to me it makes my little time off that much more enjoyable when I go on vacation. I certainly don't expect free upgrades, free food and drinks when flying in economy and I accept that as part of the economy ticket I purchased.
#138
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
They finally uploaded a video but it doesn't really show anything.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...BA-flight.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...BA-flight.html
#139
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 689
They finally uploaded a video but it doesn't really show anything.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...BA-flight.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...BA-flight.html
#140
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: EIRE
Posts: 20
Let me chime in here. First here's the independent coverage:
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-staff-forcibly-restrain-cancer-passenger-kwame-bantu-diabetes-london-jamaica-flight-a7705711.html
We are all just guessing here and from my albeit limited experience in detours and emergency landings the captain no matter what it was that happened wouldn't have made that decision lightly and most likely got approval from powers above. The costs involved in this are huge not to mention the PR nightmare.
I would like to ask a question though, with so many smartphones and cameras available why has nobody (crew) included documented and released the footage of the incident in J? I would think that a serious incident in J would spark at least a video out there... after all their are photos of crotches making it to TV!
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-staff-forcibly-restrain-cancer-passenger-kwame-bantu-diabetes-london-jamaica-flight-a7705711.html
We are all just guessing here and from my albeit limited experience in detours and emergency landings the captain no matter what it was that happened wouldn't have made that decision lightly and most likely got approval from powers above. The costs involved in this are huge not to mention the PR nightmare.
I would like to ask a question though, with so many smartphones and cameras available why has nobody (crew) included documented and released the footage of the incident in J? I would think that a serious incident in J would spark at least a video out there... after all their are photos of crotches making it to TV!
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
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The availability of a body-cam for CC could be useful in these cases.
Oh, Lord, what has Society become, that that thought entered my head
Oh, Lord, what has Society become, that that thought entered my head
#142
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
I would like to ask a question though, with so many smartphones and cameras available why has nobody (crew) included documented and released the footage of the incident in J? I would think that a serious incident in J would spark at least a video out there... after all their are photos of crotches making it to TV!
If I happen to have recorded something that may be of significance to someone/investigation, the media is not where I'd submit the evidence to, for instance.
#143
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,208
#144
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
The no by the CC certainly left him perplex and he rated the airline (one of the top 5) very poorly due to this event. Such behaviour IMO deserves a punch in the face.
#145
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 5,380
#146
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: VS, BA, HH Gold
Posts: 397
EU261/2004 claim?
Playing devils advocate here, slightly tongue in cheek...
I wonder if anyone would have the balls to query EU261 on this.
ie Was this level of physical treatment and subsequent divert an absolute necessity?
Was it within the control and management of BA to ensure they handled it appropriately and thus still allowed the aircraft to make it to KIN on time?
Would a judge rule that all UK airlines should react in the same manner for similar circumstances?
I wonder if anyone would have the balls to query EU261 on this.
ie Was this level of physical treatment and subsequent divert an absolute necessity?
Was it within the control and management of BA to ensure they handled it appropriately and thus still allowed the aircraft to make it to KIN on time?
Would a judge rule that all UK airlines should react in the same manner for similar circumstances?
#148
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
You could always try but I'm pretty sure what BA is going to reply and you would've to take it to Court. Legally speaking, you would probably have a hard time explaining with this would be one of the scenarios described by EU261. Nobody has been downgraded. Strictly speaking the flight wasn't delayed or cancelled.
Even if you argue successfully that this is a case within the scope of the regulation, there's still the problem that BA could (IMO rightfully) argue that passenger behaviour is beyond their control and that the pilots have the authority to divert the plane if there is a safety or medical issue.
In this case, BA could legitimately put forward safety and medical reason to have diverted. On one hand, the passenger had to be tied into his seat, which tells me that said passenger was very likely posing a risk. You can say about BA what you want, but their crews don't strike me as overacting in these kinds of situations. On the other hand, said passenger had a medical problem midair. Those are legitimate reasons to divert to an airport.
Personally I doubt that you could successfully claim financial compensation from BA. But IANAL.
Even if you argue successfully that this is a case within the scope of the regulation, there's still the problem that BA could (IMO rightfully) argue that passenger behaviour is beyond their control and that the pilots have the authority to divert the plane if there is a safety or medical issue.
In this case, BA could legitimately put forward safety and medical reason to have diverted. On one hand, the passenger had to be tied into his seat, which tells me that said passenger was very likely posing a risk. You can say about BA what you want, but their crews don't strike me as overacting in these kinds of situations. On the other hand, said passenger had a medical problem midair. Those are legitimate reasons to divert to an airport.
Personally I doubt that you could successfully claim financial compensation from BA. But IANAL.