First BA, then Virgin, mocked for ‘good luck’ rugby tweets
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic managed to infuriate rugby fans ahead of the weekend’s Autumn Nations Cup games, with well-meaning, but ill-thought-out tweets.
On Saturday, after BA tweeted: "Good luck to the England Rugby team against Wales today," the hashtag #English Airways began trending and there was a backlash from Wales fans.
Wales’ Minister for Health Vaughan Gething tweeted: "Good way to annoy 3m+ potential customers," while another Welsh politician, Alun Davies, Member of the Senedd for Blaenau Gwent, said: "And you expect me to fly with you, British Airways?"
BA then deleted the tweet, and apologised, saying it had ‘unintentionally strayed offside’. However, that caused more outrage among people who felt the post should not have been removed.
"Fair enough. As BA sponsor England, they can cheer them on. They are not a British airline anymore anyway. Spanish these days so no need for us Weshies to get upset," said one Twitter user.
Another said Davies’ tweet was: "Pathetic rubbish, politic cheap point scoring," adding: "They sponsor England rugby via a lucrative deal with the RFU. Why shouldn’t they wish England well? Do rugby sponsors in Wales and Scotland have to wish England well too?"
Virgin Atlantic also attempted to have a go at BA, tweeting: "Good luck to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the rugby this weekend. #British."
However, the airline was hit with a deluge of tweets from people saying Virgin had offended the Irish, while others pointed out Scotland wasn’t playing at the weekend.
England beat Wales 24-13.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026