A couple of OMAAT readers pointed me to a FlyerTalk thread about an “influencer” flying in first class, and asked for my thoughts. So, here we go…
Influencer detracts from Air France first class experience
FlyerTalk member burg_rtw (who has lots of great contributions) posted online about a flight in Air France La Premiere (first class) from Sao Paulo to Paris. He expresses his frustration about flying with an influencer in the cabin, so let me try to summarize the claims and source of frustration:
- It seems the influencer took advantage of a last minute upgrade from business class to first class
- The influencer was allowed to bring two guests into the La Premiere area of the lounge, where he bragged on camera about having taken advantage of a cheap upgrade option
- It didn’t help that the other two La Premiere passengers were also annoying, and watched videos on their cell phone without headphones
- Upon boarding, one of the influencer’s friends came up to first class and sat on the buddy seat, at which point they started to film, including the overall cabin
- At this point, the FlyerTalk member went to the galley and explained he didn’t want to be filmed or photographed, and also expressed frustration at the other passenger who was allowed in first class
- From that point forward, the situation was handled professionally by the crew, and there were no additional disturbances
Based on this, the FlyerTalk member concludes that Air France needs to do more to protect the first class cabin from “cheapo upgrades.” I think the frustration expressed here is fair, though it’s perhaps the responses that are most interesting, especially the heated anti-influencer takes.
I will say, I am curious who is being talked about here, as it’s not anyone I’ve seen (this seems to be for an August flight from Sao Paulo for Paris, so if anyone can point me to the video…).
My take on influencers flying in premium cabins
What’s my take on the overall discussion taking place here? Well, I think some people are way overthinking this, and that there’s perhaps a bit too much confirmation bias going on among the anti-influencer crowd.
I’d also be frustrated by some of the behavior described, like being in close proximity to someone watching entertainment without headphones, inviting a friend up to first class and then having them make a lot of noise, etc. There are basic violations of the golden rule.
But here’s the thing — there are plenty of non-influencers who act that way too (and similarly, there are lots of influencers who I imagine don’t act that way). For that matter, in this case it was a non-influencer who was watching entertainment without headphones.
Airlines absolutely should ensure that the experience is as good for all passengers as it can be, and the existence of an influencer shouldn’t detract from the experience of other passengers. If Air France’s policy is to not allow guests in the lounge or in the first class cabin, then that should also apply to influencers.
However, ultimately flying is a form of shared transportation, and we don’t have control over the people seated near us. I can’t even count the number of horribly behaved passengers I’ve traveled with, and none of them have to my knowledge been influencers.
If someone is being disruptive, that should be reported. But there are some things that nothing can be done about, from a crying baby, to travel companions talking at a slightly elevated volume, to someone sitting in their seat talking to their camera.
Now, if you ask me, I do think some influencers need to do a better job of respecting the privacy of others, and following rules around photographing or videoing fellow passengers or crew members. If someone is taking pictures or videoing you in violation of a carrier’s policy, you should let the crew know, and they should enforce that, whether someone is an influencer or not.
Still, I think one person having a bad experience with an influencer doesn’t mean that all influencers are poorly behaved.
And while we’re at it, this raises the question of what exactly constitutes an influencer? I mean, everyone from Taylor Swift to Elon Musk is an influencer in the traditional sense, in that they influence others. Are we talking specifically about vloggers and those who make money through social media, or…?
Bottom line
An Air France first class passenger was frustrated by the behavior of a fellow passenger, who was reportedly an influencer. Poor behavior on a plane shouldn’t be tolerated, whether someone is an influencer or not.
At the same time, I wouldn’t conclude based on this single experience that all influencers are poorly behaved. I absolutely think people should try to have good manners and use the golden rule on planes, but we see violations of that from all kinds of passengers…
What’s your take on this influencer in first class situation?