Emirates forced to pay passengers $12,600 for misleading business class experience

An Emirates passenger was awarded $12,600 after claiming his business class experience did not live up to the airline’s advertising.

new zealand Surgeon Mark Morgan and his partner from Oakland London Last August.

Unimpressed by his experience, Morgan took him to dispute court, claiming the airline misled him in its advertising.

The disgruntled surgeon shared a photo and a link to an ad showing that business class will offer smooth leather and flat, reclining seats.

Morgan claimed reality did not live up to expectations and he and his partner were forced to sit in “worn out” chairs.

A glitch in the entertainment system was also among his complaints.

Emirates defended its ad, claiming it contained fine print providing more information about the business class experience.

They claimed in their filing that the airlines “cannot guarantee that a particular aircraft will be used.”

The airline also claimed that it could not guarantee in-flight entertainment, advertised meals or in-flight services.

“These articles enable Emirates businesses to operate effectively in that they offer a degree of flexibility in navigating the complexities of cross-border air travel,” the filing said. I read things.

Dispute Tribunal Judge Laura Mueller said the court agreed with Mr Morgan and ordered Emirates to pay the distraught passenger.

“Mr Morgan alleges that Emirates’ marketing materials were intended to draw New Zealand customers away from other airline services and buy services from Emirates that are essentially non-existent.

Morgan said he hopes his case will set a precedent for other disgruntled passengers to file complaints.

“It’s less than a drop in the ocean for them,” he said. Australian Financial Review.

“That said, there could be thousands of passengers in New Zealand affected, and the same claim can be made.”

The surgeon said he didn’t want the airline to change its advertising in light of his small victory.

“They should be up front about what you are likely to get,” he said.

Kirsty Muddle, chief executive of ANZ at Dentsu Creative, said the case demonstrates the need for companies to explain and maintain high standards in advertising.

She said Australia has “one of the best self-regulatory systems in the world”.

Ad Standards manages complaints about advertising made within Australia.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has warned that “statements that misrepresent goods or services may violate the law”.

The Daily Mail Australia reached out to Emirates for comment.