Discrimination (Coronavirus?) on British Airways
#46
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 62
When all you've got is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
#47
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,933
Not being there and not having access to BA staff present to ask them, we can only hypothesise, but perhaps-
Delay/Cancellation caused flight to be overbooked.
Operational decision taken whilst on airport control literally minutes before boarding means last row of CE downgraded to Y to accommodate 2 additional pax (4 to 6 in row).
OP and travelling companion queue in boarding group, gate staff aware that 2 people with Asian names were in last row and therefore (or ? by Fly or is it just for upgrades) they knew OP and travel companion has been downgraded, but also downgrade hasnt been actioned yet.
Gaye staff ask OP and companion to step aside to ensure boarding continues and already delayed departure isnt further delayed whilst the downgrade is sorted out behind the scenes.
New BP issued reflecting downgrade which allow OP and travel companion to claim compensation for the downgrade.
For sure Im not saying that is what happened, as I say I wasnt there, but Id suggest we can not say any discrimination has occurred.
Delay/Cancellation caused flight to be overbooked.
Operational decision taken whilst on airport control literally minutes before boarding means last row of CE downgraded to Y to accommodate 2 additional pax (4 to 6 in row).
OP and travelling companion queue in boarding group, gate staff aware that 2 people with Asian names were in last row and therefore (or ? by Fly or is it just for upgrades) they knew OP and travel companion has been downgraded, but also downgrade hasnt been actioned yet.
Gaye staff ask OP and companion to step aside to ensure boarding continues and already delayed departure isnt further delayed whilst the downgrade is sorted out behind the scenes.
New BP issued reflecting downgrade which allow OP and travel companion to claim compensation for the downgrade.
For sure Im not saying that is what happened, as I say I wasnt there, but Id suggest we can not say any discrimination has occurred.
#48
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Silver, Mucci
Posts: 5,289
You know this is NOT racism, its treating different people differently based on a probability of risk, its called profiling, adding on to a good dose of Noth American ignorance of course. Not sure why AC would check non AC passengers BPs ? Was the laughing an attempt to lighten the atmosphere or was it demeaning ?
Too many people too fast to jump on the "isms" bandwagon. In case no one noticed, this virus is a serious issue
Too many people too fast to jump on the "isms" bandwagon. In case no one noticed, this virus is a serious issue
#51
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Here there everywhere
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, BA Silver, Aegean Gold, Aeroplan 25k, AA EXP
Posts: 2,822
The OP's problems are probably just a consequence of Dnata (BA's ground handler in GVA) being junk and having poorly trained staff (this applies to all the airlines they handle in GVA).
#52
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA,CX, BA, Priority Club, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 1,397
Would have been great to get a clear explanation like the one above. Unfortunately we checked online and at the airport and had checked baggage. Any clarification would have gone a long way. Unfortunately we got none other than we needed to wait after everyone else was on and we weren't in the system. Mind you, this was even before checking/scanning our tickets.
To OP, they certainly checked your ticket or else how would they tell you about the downgrade, and you mentioned you just stepped aside, and no mention of seat reassignment, did BA inform you prior to boarding?
Just pure guessing, since you are not in business class any more, you can't board along with group 1 or 2. you have to wait for your boarding group, and you have no group, you have to wait till last ?
#53
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Bonvoy LT Titanium ANA Diamond
Posts: 752
#55
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 6
Looks like we probably don't have the full story....
To OP, they certainly checked your ticket or else how would they tell you about the downgrade, and you mentioned you just stepped aside, and no mention of seat reassignment, did BA inform you prior to boarding?
Just pure guessing, since you are not in business class any more, you can't board along with group 1 or 2. you have to wait for your boarding group, and you have no group, you have to wait till last ?
To OP, they certainly checked your ticket or else how would they tell you about the downgrade, and you mentioned you just stepped aside, and no mention of seat reassignment, did BA inform you prior to boarding?
Just pure guessing, since you are not in business class any more, you can't board along with group 1 or 2. you have to wait for your boarding group, and you have no group, you have to wait till last ?
It would have been helpful to receive some kind of explanation and it's actually helpful to understand some of the reasons that are being shared on this thread. Unfortunately, we didn't get anything and I'm still puzzled why this happened.
#56
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 345
To add more detail. I mentioned to the gate agent that I was part of the rows that were to be downgraded and he told me and my wife to stand to the side first (without providing any details and checking our tickets/names). Others who were also downgraded were also asked to stand to the side. However all the other downgraded passengers were allowed to boarded along with group 1 while we were still told to stand to the side. The gate agent only knew we were part of the affected 3-4 rows but didn't know our names and which row we were in. Mind you the row opposite to us that was also affected by the change in configuration was also allowed to board first. My wife and I were not allowed to board until the very end and was specifically called out to not try to board, unsure why we were singled out like that.
It would have been helpful to receive some kind of explanation and it's actually helpful to understand some of the reasons that are being shared on this thread. Unfortunately, we didn't get anything and I'm still puzzled why this happened.
It would have been helpful to receive some kind of explanation and it's actually helpful to understand some of the reasons that are being shared on this thread. Unfortunately, we didn't get anything and I'm still puzzled why this happened.
Agree, its very bizarre and low end behavior on the part of the ground staff. I can see why you would wonder about discrimination. There are numerous reputable studies about how people who are non white get treated differently (everything from assumptions about intelligence on down). If anything it probably wasn't about the virus and sadly more so just the type of everyday discrimination of being an "other." Very sad if that was the case.
#57
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: BA Silver, Mucci
Posts: 5,289
Some individuals may lack "international awareness" but please don't write off an entire continent.
#58
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 345
discrimination and racism based on ethnicity and/or culture is as old as time so please with the nonsense of "all you've got is a hammer..." bull___t
#59
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Bonvoy LT Titanium ANA Diamond
Posts: 752
I made the trip !