Sir Ian Rankin fumes as he's bumped from business class to economy by BA

26 August 2023 , 09:59

599     0

Author Sir Ian Rankin left livid as he's bumped from business class to economy by BA (Image: PA)

Crime writer, Sir Ian Rankin was bumped down from business class to economy on a British Airways flight.

The Scottish novelist was going to Greece on a "once-in-a-lifetime” trip to see the Greek tragedy play, Oedipus Rex. He and his wife had travelled over 330 miles from Edinburgh to take the flight from London Heathrow on Thursday.

The 63-year-old rocked up to the airport he was told the flight was oversold and he would be bumped down. Business flights are on average double the price of an economy ticket.

The writer said on Instagram: “On my way to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Greece to see Oedipus Rex. Treated ourselves to British Airways business class. Tickets bought and paid for in February. Now told business class is full and we’re being bumped to economy, traveller beware.”

Author Sir Ian Rankin left livid as he's bumped from business class to economy by BA (@ianrankin2/Instagram)

Sir Ian slammed BA in a scathing Twitter post (@ianrankin2/Instagram)

Sir Ian tweeted a similar message, adding: “Story of my life." He added: "According to the gate staff at Heathrow, British Airways oversell seats, 98% of bumped passengers find that their original seats are reinstated at the gate. Friends, my wife and I are the 2%…"

Taylor Swift seen looking cosy with Matty Healy's mum Denise Welch months ago

Broadcaster, Terry Christian slammed the system tweeting: "Bad show indeed. Airlines aren't even particularly apologetic about this stuff either in my experience."

Amid the ordeal, BA replied to Ian on Twitter saying: “Hi there, Ian. We're sorry to hear this has happened. Please, once you've completed your journey, DM us and we'd be happy to look into this further for you. We apologise for the inconvenience caused by this.”

However, clearly unimpressed, Ian replied: "Automated apology innit? Plus forms (online) to fill in after your holiday."

The author had booked the economy seats way back in February (PA)

One fan said on Twitter: "I hope you got a ton of free stuff as compensation," to which the crime-writer replied: "Er…quite the reverse. Had to pay for meal and drinks in Economy."

While another asked: "Did you check in online 24 hours before or just rock up at the airport?" to which the Scottish author replied: "Tried checking in online 48 hours before flying. Got error message. Phoned BA. Told to check in at airport. Only at airport did we find out there were no seats for us."

Rankin – who is famed for his crime series about Inspector Rebus – was knighted earlier this year. Rebus now features in 26 books, the first published in 1987. He was knighted by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace in June.

The Mirror have contacted British Airways for further comment on this story.

Olive Loveridge-Greene