Armed police were called to remove an angry family from a plane after they claimed they were asked to give up a business class seat for an airline staff member.
Ivan Lopes, along with his wife and two daughters, aged 25 and 11, were on an Air France flight from Paris to Salvador, Brazil. The family faced issues when they upgraded to business class tickets but were told that the upgrade for one of their daughters could not be accommodated due to a purported “technical problem” with seat 7L.
Upon boarding, they found seat 7L taken by a French passenger, allegedly linked to Air France, while the actual problem seat was 5L. Mr. Lopes disputed the explanation, leading to a confrontation that attracted attention from other passengers.
The situation escalated, with the family eventually being escorted off the plane by armed French police. They were informed they would need to buy new tickets for the next day. Following legal advice, the family purchased new business class tickets on another airline and faced a delay in retrieving their luggage.
The family claimed a financial loss of approximately €16,000 (£14,000), including original tickets, upgrades, replacement flights, and additional expenses. They intend to sue the airline for compensation, alleging a disproportionate and distressing response, especially for their 11-year-old.
Air France acknowledged removing the family from the flight but disputed their account. The airline stated that the family’s behavior was disruptive and led to delays and safety concerns. They explained that the decision to remove the group was made to ensure the safe operation of the flight.
Air France clarified that due to an inoperable business class seat, upgrades can be canceled with a refund on the day of travel. They offered the family premium economy seating but claimed the family insisted on retaining three business class seats. The airline emphasized that passenger and crew safety remains their utmost priority.