Latest United Airlines has racked up headlines after videos emerged recently of a passenger being dragged off an overbooked flight.
The company’s response – including the chief executive saying the airline had to “re-accommodate” passengers hasn’t gone down well. United Airlines boss pledges support for staff over flight 3411 incident
Of course, it’s not the only airline in recent times to have had a PR blunder – nor is it United’s only controversial moment in the past few weeks.
*So here are six of the most memorable airline PR errors…*
*1. Not a leg to stand on*
Two teenage girls were told they couldn’t board a United flight last month, as they were wearing leggings. The incident quickly picked up on social media and resulted in a barrage of criticism for the airline.
Initially the carrier said it did have a right to refuse transport for passengers who weren’t properly clothed, left “to the discretion of the gate agents”. It then later said the girls were travelling on an employee pass, which has a dress code.
The carrier clarified its comments and said regular, paying customers are welcome to wear leggings; just not United pass travellers.
By then of course, the backlash had well and truly taken off.