'Snobby' Brits slammed for 'abusive' comments on who can use airport lounges
On the Beach has pushed back at social media trolls who have shared abusive, fat-shaming views about airport lounge users.
The package holiday firm says it has seen an alarming number of posts taking aim at a family which appeared in one of its adverts. On the Beach is offering free airport lounge access for summer 2024 as well as free fast track through airport security on all 2024 holidays.
Comments online have taken issue with the actors shown in the advert and their size. One cruel post on Twitter/X said: "I hate that On the Beach advert showing the porker family having full access to the Lounge and perks… yuk’. Another added: "I’m not sure the On the Beach TV advert claiming a family of slobs are f***ing genius for getting lounge access. Really encourages me to travel with them."
This came amidst a barrage of nasty and vile comments regarding the children who featured in the advert, which the travel firm has condemned for having violent messaging. Meanwhile some people were downright snobby about who should be able to access airport lounges.
One person wrote: “The advert for On the Beach says there is free airport lounge access for their customers. Can you imagine the oil executives sharing their airport lounge with riff raff holidaymakers?”
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Over on Youtube a similar comment continued: "So what was once an executive lounge of the slightly more fortunate class is going to be full of Tracey and her six kids hoovering every last peanut". Another added: "This company is definitely for the council estate family holiday who just want to sit around the pool and eat and drink as much as possible."
In a statement released this week, On the Beach’s chief customer officer, Zoe Harris, expressed her disappointment at the comments. She said: "It’s shocking to see some of the snobbish comments posted online about our advert and the family featured within it.
"We’re highlighting these concerning comments as we’d just like to remind those that have a derogatory opinion that everyone has a right to holiday, and everyone has a right to lounge access. We can’t help it if you’re not a booking genius and go loungeless this summer.
"We always do our best to give customers the best deals on the best hotels in the best destinations but understand that some families in the UK may only be able to afford one holiday this year. That’s why we offer free perks such as lounge access, because we want that holiday to be the very best it can be."
The On the Beach advert caused a touch of controversy this year for another reason. A total of 135 complaints were sent to the Advertising Standard Authority by people who thought that On the Beach ambassador and voiceover of the advert, Paddy McGuinness, was swearing.
The ASA also received four complaints from watchers who believed the depiction of the family normalised and encouraged rude and greedy behaviour. After review, the ASA cleared On the Beach and Paddy McGuinness on all counts.
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