A Qantas passenger’s extraordinary reaction as his very first business class flight is ruined when he is suddenly booted back into economy for some strange reason
An Aussie sales executive has been praised for his exceptionally calm reaction to being moved from business class to economy in the first moments of a 10-hour flight.
Melbourne’s Jameel Rehman scored a business class flight for two from Sydney to Honolulu as a work bonus, but had to move after engineers discovered a defect in his seat.
Mr. Rehman noted his reaction after receiving the news, saying the staff was very apologetic but wasted no time in getting him into the economy.
His mother, who was his plus-one, kept her seat and waved cheerfully at the camera as her son finished his glass of champagne before humbly leaving.
“How the mighty have fallen,” Mr. Rehman declared as he entered his new hut, hearing the sound of a baby crying.
Jameel Rehman, from Melbourne, scored a business class flight for two from Sydney to Honolulu as a work bonus, but had to move after engineers discovered a defect in his seat
Mr Rehman had just put on his complimentary business class pajamas with the famous Qantas kangaroo on the front when he was told he had to move for his own safety ten minutes into the flight.
“I’ve just been told to vacate this business class seat because it is [broken],’ he said.
‘But boy, at least I got to enjoy it for a while [with] my champagne, it was delicious.’
The gracious passenger quickly picked up his headphones and praised the Qantas staff who were ‘very apologetic’ [and] very helpful’.
He could keep the pajamas on and still enjoy the benefits of business class “but not the space.”
“What can you do,” he mused casually as the staff offered to carry his bags to the very empty row waiting for him at the back of the plane.
“I can’t really beat them,” he added.
Social media users praised Mr Rehman’s optimistic response to the unfortunate situation he found himself in.
‘You are a boy with class. Congratulations on your achievements and share them with your mother,” said one.
“Watch the baby give you a warm welcome,” wrote another.
“No matter how nice they were and what extras you got, make sure you ask for compensation and don’t settle for nothing,” a third advised.
Mr. Rehman quickly clarified that his employer had received a “downgrade refund” and that he had personally received a $500 travel voucher for the effort.
“It’s a happy ending folks – thanks for all the kind words,” he wrote in response to the outpouring of support he received.
In a later update, Mr Rehman confirmed that on the return flight he was able to enjoy the full business class experience with his mother as they drank champagne together.
Mr Rehman’s asset for the trip was his mother, with whom he was finally able to enjoy business class on the return flight
A Qantas spokesman said the carrier had personally apologized to Mr Rehman for the inconvenience and that he had been given a $500 travel voucher for the trouble.
It is understood that engineers had discovered a defect in Mr Rehman’s original seat during pre-flight checks in Sydney, which required urgent repairs.
The problem was resolved by ground personnel in Hawaii prior to their return flight.
A Qantas spokesperson said the airline had personally apologized to Mr Rehman for any inconvenience he had suffered and that his safety was their top priority.
“Safety is always our top priority and unfortunately a minor technical issue meant this seat had to remain vacant,” they said.
“Two days after the flight, Mr. Rehman received a downgrade refund, along with a $500 travel voucher.”