Qatari royals halt British Airways flight

[JODO 2]

Qatari royals halt British flight

A British Airways flight was delayed for several hours after women members of the Qatari royal family objected to sitting next to men they did not know.

The three wives of Sheikh Badr Bin Khalifa al-Thani refused take up their seats on board Flight 563 from Milan's Linate airport to London Heathrow.

Police and Qatari diplomats became involved before the captain told Sheikh Badr's entourage to leave the aircraft.

The Qatari royals eventually ended up getting an Alitalia flight to London.

They had been on a shopping day-trip to the Italian city.

'Safety instructions'

In addition to his three wives, Sheikh Badr, a junior member of Qatar's 3,000-strong ruling family, was accompanied by a male relative, a cook and another servant on the flight.

After boarding, the women complained about the seats they had been allocated because they were next to men they did not know, a spokesman at Linate said.

Cabin crew tried to move the passengers to different seats, but those travelling with other people refused to change.

Sheikh Badr then reportedly got up and walked to the pilot's cabin to complain.

A delay of nearly four hours ensued as two members of the Qatari party refused to sit down.

A BA spokesman said the captain eventually had no option but to return to the terminal.

"The people were offloaded because they failed to comply with safety instructions when the aircraft was taxiing," he said.

Later in the evening, the royals travelled business class with the Italian carrier, Alitalia, with their staff in economy. The Qatar embassy in Rome said it was a "private matter".

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/6920226.stm

Published: 2007/07/28 05:23:41 GMT

[Nagishkaw 510]

Just who do they think they are, anyway? Royalty?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Chopfracks!!!!

[wioombeen 0]

I used to love playing Pac-Man on my Qatari.

[trueimage 0]

Sheesh.............I don't understand why the flight was delyed 4 hours. It should have only been delayed only 4 minutes before they were put off the plane.

[Dr_LHA 3]

Sheesh.............I don't understand why the flight was delyed 4 hours. It should have only been delayed only 4 minutes before they were put off the plane.

Seriously. Also couldn't the stewards have simply got people to move around to meet their wishes? Seems like a ridiculous situation to me.

[JODO 2]

Sheesh.............I don't understand why the flight was delyed 4 hours. It should have only been delayed only 4 minutes before they were put off the plane.

Sheesh.............I don't understand why the flight was delyed 4 hours. It should have only been delayed only 4 minutes before they were put off the plane.

Seriously. Also couldn't the stewards have simply got people to move around to meet their wishes? Seems like a ridiculous situation to me.

It seems people on the plane did not want to move for them. I am guessing maybe they were giving attitude or the other passengers wanted to stay with their parties as well.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

important part.....

After passengers had fastened their seat-belts and the plane had taxied on to the runway, two male passengers in the entourage got up to protest about where the women were sitting.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1811

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

With that attitude, maybe they should charter their of friggin' plane. A 4 hour delay my behind. Kick them off, let them walk. #######?

[William33 110]

They sound like a Royal pain in the azz.

[Jamie76 0]

I'm not sure who were the idiots here...the "royals" of course, but BA too for not kicking them off the plane in the first place right away.

[Fandango 1,440]

Royals flying business class...gimme a break!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Royals flying business class...gimme a break!

The oil is running out. Business class is their equivalent of cutting coupons for us.

[The_dip_sticks 0]

Im glad they booted their stuipd royal assed of the plane. Thats what they get for being a royal pain. I mean who do they think they are to assume that the rest of the world has to bend over for them? HA, If they asked me to move Id tell them to piss off. =0)

[peonyflowers99 4]

Im glad they booted their stuipd royal assed of the plane. Thats what they get for being a royal pain. I mean who do they think they are to assume that the rest of the world has to bend over for them? HA, If they asked me to move Id tell them to piss off. =0)

Ha,

When we(christians) go there, we have to adapt to their rules, it is only normal to have them adapted to our rules and way of life when they come here. No discussion, just do it, and show us you are respecting us, it is not going to kill anybody by showing respect for the rules in the country(aircraft) you are in!!!!

Regards,