Air Arabia
Rude Ground Staff

Last week I returned from a family vacation in Amman, Jordan. We were flying Air Arabia which was fairly efficient and met expectations of a low budget airline. However we got a nasty surprise at the departure gate from a ground staff of AA. She announced that all Indians are to board the flight first. Though mildly surprised by the emphasis on Indians, I let it pass thinking that since there was a big pilgrimage group from India, she was referring to them in general. I stayed seated waiting for the initial rush to die down but immediately caught the attention of this very diligent lady. She insisted that I too board the flight with my family. I told her that I am not part of the group and will board once the crowd gets cleared. She became very persistent and then I asked why should I board against my wishes and why only Indians are being asked to go first. She responded that the rest were traveling (hold your breath), Business Class!!! Air Arabia has only class of flight and I pointed this out to her and explained that we are Indians yes but not free travelers. She threatened to call security if I did not stop arguing with her. I could not believe that she would have the gall to behave rudely and then pretend to be the aggrieved party. I was ready to continue but left the place more because my wife insisted that I do not escalate this any further. I put a complaint note to the flight purser doubting very much if anything much will come of it. I write this just to let all fellow Indian fliers know that we should not take this kind of racist behavior lightly and make a concerted effort to fight it and highlight it immediately. But first we have to have our house in order too!

Company: Air Arabia
Country: India

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