British Airways have been accused of racism after an Indian family claimed they were ejected from a flight in London because their three-year-old son was crying.
AP Patak claims a BA crew member shouted at his son and used ‘racist remarks’, before ordering them and another Indian family sat behind them off the plane.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media in India, with people calling for a nationwide boycott of British Airways.
AP Patak claims a British Airways crew member shouted at his son and used ‘racist remarks’, before ordering them and another Indian family off the plane at London City Airport
The incident allegedly occurred shortly before take-off at London City Airport on a flight destined for Berlin on July 23.
Mr Patak, who works for the Indian government, has since complained to Indian Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu and outlined what he called ‘humiliation and racial behaviour’ in a fiery letter.
Mr Patak claims his son had become uncomfortable and started crying after the seatbelt had been fastened, and his wife then picked him up despite the sign being on.
He writes: ‘My son felt uncomfortable and started crying. My wife managed to comfort him by taking him in her arms.
‘A male crew member approached us and started shouting, scolded my son to go to his seat. My son got terrified and started crying even more.’
‘Another Indian family sitting behind us offered the child some biscuits to console him and my wife again put the boy on his designated seat and fastened the seat belt even though he kept on crying. The aircraft then started taxiing to the runway.’

The incident allegedly occurred shortly before takeoff at London City Airport on a flight destined for Berlin on July 23 (stock image)
‘(The) same crew member came again and shouted at my son that “you bloody keep quiet otherwise you will be thrown out of the window” and we would be offloaded. We were petrified.’
Mr Patak claims the plane then returned to the terminal and security personnel were called to remove the family and the family in the row behind them from the aircraft.
‘I would like to reiterate and emphasise that the said crew member made racist remarks and used hatred words like “bloody” about the Indians which is highly undesirable and contumacious to the respect of myself and my nation,’ Mr Patak added.
Indian social media users are now calling for a boycott of British Airways, with many Twitter users believing the family to have been ejected over the upset child.
Dilip Subramaniam wrote: ‘British Airways why don’t u STOP all services to India..You did a racist act by off loading an Indian family coz the child was crying..U And UR staff are racist..GET OUT of India.’
Kiran Salotagi wrote: ‘Stop travelling with the @British_Airways #BycottBritishAirways [sic] They will get to know what #Indians can do and #India is capable of.’
Vishnu Prakash, India’s former Ambassador to Canada & South Korea, wrote on his Twitter: ‘I will NEVER travel again with @British_Airways. Racist crew member traumatizes 3-year-old Indian kid by screaming at him. The family then gets offloaded. Hope Indian authorities take suitable action.’
A British Airways spokesperson said: ‘It is a safety requirement for all airlines that passengers are seated and have their seatbelt fastened for take-off.
‘We take such claims like this extremely seriously and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
‘We are investigating the complaint and will liaise with our customer.’