A customer’s online criticism of an airline could become costly.
Thailand’s national flag carrier Thai Airways plans to sue a passenger who complained on Facebook after his flight was diverted.
The airline claims the critical post is damaging to the airline.
The passenger vented frustration after his Bangkok to Melbourne flight was diverted to Sydney due to low visibility late last month.
It caused a delay of over four hours.
In the now deleted post, the passenger suggested this was false and speculated the aircraft could have been low on fuel.
He also questioned the airline pilot’s assertiveness with air traffic controllers.
One Thai Airways pilot, Captain Faisal, who has a popular Facebook account, responded that cockpit weather reports are much more specialised than smartphone weather apps.
The decision to divert was in line with normal safety standards, he said.
The passenger then offered to apologise to the airline pilot when travelling to Thailand again.
However, that hasn’t satisfied Thai Airways.
The airline says it plans to start legal action.
It claims the post could damage its reputation.
