BBC Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans hits out at British Airways after being denied seat on plane... despite having a ticket
- Evans was flying from Nice to London when he was turned away
- He live-tweeted his frustrating experience to his 1.8 million followers
- Evans feared he would be stranded and miss his morning radio gig
- He was given a spot on the plane when a passenger failed to show up
BBC presenter Chris Evans has slammed British Airways after he was temporarily bumped off his flight from France and almost missed his morning radio show gig.
The host of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 live-tweeted yesterday’s frustrating ordeal after he was told that he didn’t have a spot on the plane, despite having a ticket.
When the situation was looking grim Evans told British Airways to explain to his bosses why he wouldn’t be at work today, and revealed that the airline offered him ‘preferential service’ as passengers waited to board at the airport in Nice.
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BBC Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans sent a series of angry tweets after he was told he didn't have a seat
The host of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show said he had a ticket, but wasn't being allowed to board
The media personality feared he would be stranded overnight in the South of France and miss work
The 49-year-old presenter feared he would be stranded overnight in the South of France when he arrived for his evening flight to London Heathrow and was informed that there was no room for him as it was overbooked.
He tweeted: ‘British Airways. So let me get this right. I have a ticket but I’m not on the flight. Can you tell the BBC why I won’t be in work tmr pls?’
He added: ‘No, this is really happening. I’ve driven to Nice to get on a plane which I have a ticket for and they have just said sorry, no. Unbelievable’.
As he continued to post updates for his 1.8 million followers, the airline responded with a tweet asking him to provide his booking reference and telephone number.
Chris Evans live-tweeted the frustrating experience for his 1.8 million Twitter followers
A British Airways employee responded and offered to contact Evans to resolve the situation
Evans also assured his followers that he arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare before his flight
Evans, who fills in as a presenter on The One Show, then told his followers that the flight had closed and it ‘apparently happens a lot’, and that his last hope would be British Airways’ final flight of the day.
He added: ‘Been told to wait for nxt flight but “Highly unlikely you’ll get on”. Bizarre way to run a business.’
Evans assured his followers that he arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare before his flight, but was told the ‘flight was full’.
He wrote that French airport staff were ‘brilliant’ and revealed that British Airways was ‘offering to give me preferential service.’
Chris Evans said French airport staff were 'brilliant' while helping him through the situation with BA
The radio presenter suggested that he wasn't interested in British Airways' offer of 'preferential service'
Evans returned home late last night and his show was on the air as scheduled this morning
He added: ‘No thanks. As my very wise mate always says. Don’t complain, change. Bye bye. B.A. S.W.L.K.’ [Sealed With Loving Kisses]
While things were looking bleak there was a twist in Evans’ ordeal, allowing him to board an evening flight home after all.
He wrote: ‘Lovely chap has turned up without his girlfriend. Looks like I am half of the new happy couple. My turn to buy the drinks.
‘Tmr I will be mostly back on Radio 2, tho’ they’ll always be a little part of me forever at that B.A. check in desk.’
Evans returned home late last night and was on the air as scheduled this morning.
A British Airways spokesperson said: 'We are very sorry that some of our customers were delayed after we had to transfer them onto a slightly later flight.
'They all returned to Heathrow Airport last night, an hour later than originally planned.'
A BBC spokesperson said: 'BBC social media policies were not violated as the comments were made via Chris’ personal Twitter account.'
MailOnline Travel has contacted Evans for comment.
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