Clearly, not everyone is on board with president-elect Donald Trump. Mix those post-election tensions with a cramped flight and things could turn downright ugly.
A political argument between two passengers on an international flight by United Airlines turned ugly, leading the captain to implore those aboard keep politics off of his airplane or take another flight. According to the video posted online, the argument seems to have started with a Trump supporter offending the passenger sitting next to him.
“Let’s keep our opinions to ourselves on this particular matter at this particular time,” the pilot of the flight, from San Francisco to the Mexican resort town of Puerto Vallarta, is heard saying on a video recorded by a passenger that was posted to YouTube. He asked passengers to not to bring up politics because “we’re going to be in a metal tube at 35,000 feet.”
“If there’s anybody who has a problem with this” and needs “to vent or rant or rave, there’s another flight tomorrow. You’re not going to be on this one.”
The pilot’s announcement was met with cheers from passengers.
Other airlines saw a business opportunity in some voters’ deep disappointment. Air New Zealand posted a one-minute promotional video on Nov. 10 announcing Trump’s victory with the words, ”So this happened,” and offering an invitation to visit New Zealand.
Irish airline Ryanair poked fun at Hillary Clinton’s loss and said its one million seats for £9.99 apiece ($12) was just as unbelievable as Trump’s win. Even US budget carrier Spirit Airlines announced a 75%-off sale for fares to Canada.