Travel
‘Most embarrassing flight experience ever:’ Ex Miami anchor’s travel mishap goes viral
There are two types of travelers: Ones who want to get to their destination ASAP, and others who don’t mind hanging around the airport if the right offer comes along.
Frances Wang, who’s in the latter category, told her 59K plus Instagram followers she thought she hit the jackpot earlier this month while on flight headed to Austin from Philadelphia.
The former Miami reporter/anchor starts the video, with this text over screen: “Guys, I had the most embarrassing flight experience ever. I am in tears.”
Wang goes on to recount that she was on a full American Airlines flight waiting for takeoff when an announcement came over the loudspeaker.
Since the plane was overbooked, would there be one volunteer to give up his or her seat for a $1,200 voucher? This is a common practice nowadays — compensating customers when flights are oversold.
As soon as Wang verbally accepted, fellow passengers congratulated her on her way to disembark, she says in the video.
“I’m so excited,” recalled the California native. “As I’m walking down the aisle everyone is, like, cheering me on. You would think I just won a million dollars on a game show.”
But once at the front of the aircraft, she was in for a rude awakening. Someone else got there first, and Wang had to slink back to her seat in row 23.
“She made everyone’s day because they were vicariously living through her joy and excitement,” Wang’s seatmate says once they’re all in the air.
After landing at their destination, another passenger who felt badly for Wang had a stern message for the airline:
“Y’all said, ‘Never mind’ and she had to walk back through the aisle. Walk of shame. You owe her $1,200. Plus the refund for her ticket!”
The Miami Herald reached out to AA for comment, but did not immediately hear back; however, vouchers are normally given to passengers on a first come, first served basis.