British Airways 'offloads' Indian family over 'crying three-year-old'

Family of toddler have complained to pertinent union minister

An Indian family was allegedly offloaded from a July 23 Berlin-bound British Airways (BA) flight over a "crying three-year-old", The Times of India reported.

The mother, according to the report, managed to placate the child as the aircraft taxied for take off but the intimidating conduct of a cabin crew member left the toddler inconsolable.  The family and some other Indians seated near them were offloaded after the aircraft returned to the terminal.



The family has filed a complaint to Civil Aviation Union Minister Suresh Prabhu alleging "humiliation and racial behavior".  "After an announcement, my wife fastened my three-year-old's seat belt. My son felt uncomfortable and started crying. My wife managed to (comfort) him by taking him in her arms ... a cabin crew member then started shouting ... scolded my son to go to his seat," the complaint read.



"... My son got terrified and started crying (inconsolably). (An)other Indian family sitting behind us offered some biscuits to console him. My wife again put the boy on his designated seat and fastened the seat belt even though he kept on crying ..."

"(The) same crew member came again and shouted at my son that you bloody keep quiet otherwise you will be thrown out of the window and we would be offloaded. We were petrified," the letter said.

The father said a crew member alerted security personnel who took away their boarding cards and of those seated behind them once the aircraft returned to the terminal. "My family and the other Indian passengers were offloaded ...," the complaint read.

We take such claims like this extremely seriously and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We have started a full investigation and are in direct contact with the customer," a BA spokesperson said.

This story originally appeared in Times of India.