BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
A trending video on Instagram featuring former Big Brother Naija (BBN) housemate Erica Nlewedim has stirred up discussions on the cyberspace, with opinions divided along various lines.
In the video, Erica is seen using explicit language towards a staff member of a Nigerian ground handling firm.
She accused the staff of downgrading her from a business class seat to an economy seat on a British Airways flight, despite having fully paid for the premium seat.
Aviation Authorities clarified that check-in staff do not have the authority to upgrade or downgrade passengers without the airline’s instruction.
Unfortunately, overbooking incidents are common during peak travel seasons. During these times, airlines often prioritise passengers with frequent flyer status or premium passes, leading to situations where other passengers may face downgrades or delays in the check-in process.
Additionally, it was gathered that early check-in facilities, which allow passengers to check in up to 48 hours before departure, can also contribute to these issues.
Given the situation, it was unanimously agreed that Erica should have contacted her ticketing agent to resolve the issue before confronting the ground handling staff.
There are various ways to address such problems, including changing flights or airlines, and she likely would have been compensated for the inconvenience.
The video shows the check-in staff attempting to pacify Erica and advising her to contact her agent to explore available options.
However, Erica refused to comply.
It’s worth noting that such incidents are not uncommon during peak periods.
Passengers should be informed beforehand about potential overbooking issues to avoid embarrassing situations like this.
