An Air Canada flight from Casablanca to Montreal was cancelled last week after a heated argument between a flight attendant and a passenger over a request for a blanket. The incident, which occurred on July 26, was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media.
Incident Overview
The confrontation began when a passenger on Air Canada Flight AC73 requested a blanket due to the cold cabin temperature. The situation quickly escalated as the flight attendant, who was seen in the video, posted by FL360aero, gesturing angrily and ranting at the passenger, refused the request and attempted to deboard the passenger.
Stress levels are quite high in the sky these days : An Air Canada flight from Casablanca (CMN) to Montreal (YUL) was canceled due to the inappropriate behavior of a flight attendant on July 26, 2024.
The Airbus A330-343 aircraft (C-GHLM) did the taxi aiming a departure while… pic.twitter.com/h3s4fbGF5A
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) July 27, 2024
“You will behave, or we will get off!” the flight attendant is heard shouting in both English and French.
She continued, “I don’t want no bullying against my crew!” Despite requests to call the flight captain, the attendant stormed up the aisle, instructing everyone to “behave” and “be quiet” or face removal from the plane.
Passenger Support and Flight Cancellation
As the argument intensified, the flight attendant called the police to remove the passenger from the aircraft. In a show of solidarity, other passengers decided to leave the plane as well, leading to the eventual cancellation of the flight.
Air Canada stated that the flight was cancelled due to the disruption and that a new crew was brought in to transport the passengers to their destination on Sunday, July 28.
Air Canada’s Response
Air Canada has launched an investigation into the incident.
Christophe Hennebell, an Air Canada spokesperson, emphasised the seriousness with which the airline is treating the matter.
“We are taking this incident very seriously. It is under review, and we will take appropriate action. We apologise to our customers and deeply regret that their experience today fell far short of what they have come to expect when flying with Air Canada,” Hennebell told CTV News.
Compensation for Passengers
Air Canada has committed to compensating passengers for the inconvenience caused by the delay and the unsettling nature of the incident.
Details on the compensation package have not been disclosed, but the airline assured affected passengers that they would be fairly compensated.
Viral Video and Social Media Reaction
The video of the incident, which shows the flight attendant’s outburst, has sparked widespread discussion on social media platforms. Users have expressed both support for the passenger and criticism of the flight attendant’s handling of the situation.
The video continues to gain traction, adding to the pressure on Air Canada to address the issue promptly and effectively.
