Mar 18, 2019, 10:00 am
Advice: Parent kicked out of seat by "celebrity"
Mar 17, 2019, 2:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: BA Gold; Surrey CCC
Posts: 97
Advice: Parent kicked out of seat by "celebrity"
This is both a sad and anger-inducing topic for me and would like advice from more experienced members of the forum.
My old man (81) recently came back on a flight in F (a birthday present from us) from the US. He was seated in 1A on the 744. He doesn't travel that often now because of age, and very rarely in F, so this was one of those occasions where he was truly excited about his trip.
Anyhow, upon boarding the aircraft and then nicely settled, he was approached by another passenger: "Excuse me, I always sit in this seat when I fly, 1A, so kindly take my original seat (5E). You should know that I'm an important customer for BA, with all respect, likely much more than you. Therefore, please could you move". He then called a cabin crew member to "kindly escort" my dad to 5E. The cabin crew lady first checked the boarding passes and said that his seat was 5E, what's he doing here, but he repeated the line and to my surprise, the cabin crew member then did as asked. Dad then complained to the cabin manager, but was met with indifference from that lady. To not cause a fuss (and of course age being an issue), he moved to 5E.
It was a full flight, sleeper service so the usual from cabin crew. They were courteous.
This gentleman - I shan't name him as I'm worried about legal action etc. He is more a corporate / political "celebrity" and often comes on TV giving his opinion about Brexit, how we should reverse it, etc. He's not a film star or anything (I don't even think the stars would behave in such a way). He was also not met by any person, BA or otherwise, at Heathrow, and went through exactly the same process as everyone else.
How I wish I was there.
Worth complaining to BA, or wasting my time? I think the latter but wanted to check to see if anything could be done. Still can't believe that in this day and age this sort of behaviour is tolerated.
My old man (81) recently came back on a flight in F (a birthday present from us) from the US. He was seated in 1A on the 744. He doesn't travel that often now because of age, and very rarely in F, so this was one of those occasions where he was truly excited about his trip.
Anyhow, upon boarding the aircraft and then nicely settled, he was approached by another passenger: "Excuse me, I always sit in this seat when I fly, 1A, so kindly take my original seat (5E). You should know that I'm an important customer for BA, with all respect, likely much more than you. Therefore, please could you move". He then called a cabin crew member to "kindly escort" my dad to 5E. The cabin crew lady first checked the boarding passes and said that his seat was 5E, what's he doing here, but he repeated the line and to my surprise, the cabin crew member then did as asked. Dad then complained to the cabin manager, but was met with indifference from that lady. To not cause a fuss (and of course age being an issue), he moved to 5E.
It was a full flight, sleeper service so the usual from cabin crew. They were courteous.
This gentleman - I shan't name him as I'm worried about legal action etc. He is more a corporate / political "celebrity" and often comes on TV giving his opinion about Brexit, how we should reverse it, etc. He's not a film star or anything (I don't even think the stars would behave in such a way). He was also not met by any person, BA or otherwise, at Heathrow, and went through exactly the same process as everyone else.
How I wish I was there.
Worth complaining to BA, or wasting my time? I think the latter but wanted to check to see if anything could be done. Still can't believe that in this day and age this sort of behaviour is tolerated.
Mar 17, 2019, 2:48 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Shameful. Period.
Tell BA .. it won’t achieve anything, but the Media might like the story.
Tell BA .. it won’t achieve anything, but the Media might like the story.
Mar 17, 2019, 2:53 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
Hope your old man rubbed his bollocks all over the original seat!
Mar 17, 2019, 2:53 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LBA
Programs: KLM FB Gold, LH M&M
Posts: 454
If the "celebrity" was so important to BA, he would have been allocated his "usual" seat before boarding.
Shameful behaviour by the "celeb". And very badly handled by BA.
Shameful behaviour by the "celeb". And very badly handled by BA.
Mar 17, 2019, 2:55 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I have two points to make, but I’m not sure you’ll like either one. But let me begin by saying that this sort of bullying is totally unacceptable and the useless BA crew should be called out.
1. Your father should simply have resisted. I expect most of us would have. He’s probably too polite and well-mannered though.
2. Who are we talking about? You don’t have any legal issues to worry about, especially in this Instagram day and age.
1. Your father should simply have resisted. I expect most of us would have. He’s probably too polite and well-mannered though.
2. Who are we talking about? You don’t have any legal issues to worry about, especially in this Instagram day and age.
Mar 17, 2019, 2:55 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: Gold at BA, Hilton and Radisson.
Posts: 593
Can I ask what the cabin crew member did when this celebrity called them over? Did they tell your father he had to move or ask him if he would like to? Did your father get their name?
Both are terrible and should not have happened. I'd right a letter to BA and also think again about not telling the media or publishing this persons name; it is perfect story to distraction attention from Brexit Brexit Brexit right now...
Both are terrible and should not have happened. I'd right a letter to BA and also think again about not telling the media or publishing this persons name; it is perfect story to distraction attention from Brexit Brexit Brexit right now...
Mar 17, 2019, 2:56 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: BA Exec Club
Posts: 581
Name and shame on social media. If you are certain of identity then call him out on this apalling behaviour. Make sure you tag BA too.
Mar 17, 2019, 2:57 pm
#8
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,851
First name begins with A?
No, your relative should not have moved, and in a way it makes it worse when he acquiesces like this. He shouldn't have been asked, and the crew should not have gone along with it, but as you can see for yourself it was the path that actually gave the least resistance. If he really was of big net worth to BA, then BA would have resolved this well before your father boarded. "Not cause a fuss" tends to do exactly that, and complaining afterwards is too late.
That said, it's fair to point out that all the seats in First are good, there isn't really the variation that we see in CW for example.
No, your relative should not have moved, and in a way it makes it worse when he acquiesces like this. He shouldn't have been asked, and the crew should not have gone along with it, but as you can see for yourself it was the path that actually gave the least resistance. If he really was of big net worth to BA, then BA would have resolved this well before your father boarded. "Not cause a fuss" tends to do exactly that, and complaining afterwards is too late.
That said, it's fair to point out that all the seats in First are good, there isn't really the variation that we see in CW for example.
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Mar 17, 2019 at 3:02 pm
Mar 17, 2019, 2:59 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,444
My response would have been, “that’s interesting as I must be more important than you then that’s why I’m in 1A and staying in 1A. Enjoy 5E.”
Silly sod whoever it was.
Not much you can do apart from tell the sun or the Mail, they might like the story.
Sorry your dad experienced that.
Silly sod whoever it was.
Not much you can do apart from tell the sun or the Mail, they might like the story.
Sorry your dad experienced that.
Mar 17, 2019, 3:00 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: BA GGL, UA Premier Gold, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Various Rental Car Statuses
Posts: 104
First name begins with A?
No, you relative should not have moved, and in a way it makes it worse when he acquiesces like this. He shouldn't have been asked, and the crew should not have gone along with it, but as you can see for yourself it was the path that actually gave the least resistance. If he really was of big net worth to BA, then BA would have resolved this well before your father boarded. "Not cause a fuss" tends to do exactly that, and complaining afterwards is too late.
That said, it's fair to point out that all the seats in First are good, there isn't really the variation that we see in CW for example.
No, you relative should not have moved, and in a way it makes it worse when he acquiesces like this. He shouldn't have been asked, and the crew should not have gone along with it, but as you can see for yourself it was the path that actually gave the least resistance. If he really was of big net worth to BA, then BA would have resolved this well before your father boarded. "Not cause a fuss" tends to do exactly that, and complaining afterwards is too late.
That said, it's fair to point out that all the seats in First are good, there isn't really the variation that we see in CW for example.
Don’t need to comment not he other points as they have already been covered.
Oh and to the OP - please do name them. Pretty sure that the public backlash would be on your side. No one would ever go through with that.
Mar 17, 2019, 3:04 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
Sadly your old man didn't pull out his cell phone and record it
Mar 17, 2019, 3:04 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LBA
Programs: KLM FB Gold, LH M&M
Posts: 454
If a passenger has a boarding pass with 1A on it, then the BA flight attendants should back him to the hilt regarding his right to sit there.
Otherwise, it's the thin end of the wedge with bullying and arguments all over the plane.
Otherwise, it's the thin end of the wedge with bullying and arguments all over the plane.
Mar 17, 2019, 3:08 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,107
What a terrible shameful story, the only person who did anything wrong was the person asking your father to move.
I don’t think complaining would do any good, the crew member confirmed that your father was in the correct seat but if your father agreed to move all be it under pressure there was very little the crew could do.
I don’t think complaining would do any good, the crew member confirmed that your father was in the correct seat but if your father agreed to move all be it under pressure there was very little the crew could do.
Mar 17, 2019, 3:10 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 629
It wouldn’t matter who it was; I wouldn’t be moving for anybody.
Mar 17, 2019, 3:14 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA 1MM lifetime gold, Starwood gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 719
Name and shame the ‘celebrity’ and also complain to BA about the crew’s handling of the situation. Also inform the press- it’s exactly the sort of thing they go for.