Virgin Australia backflips on a bizarre decision to share customer’s email

A social media stunt hasn’t gone to plan for Virgin after the airline chose to roast one of its own customers on Twitter.

Virgin Australia Twitter post blasts customer

An odd decision by Virgin Australia to share an email complaint with the world of social media has been brushed off as an “error of judgment”.

The airline, while promoting ‘Pride Flights’, which celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, took to Twitter to share an email from a disgruntled customer disturbed by the promotion.

The homophobic email sought to blast the company for its promotion.

“Your most recent advertising campaign featuring an infinitesimally small fringe group in our society is an insult [to] the normal everyday Australians,” it read.

“Who, in their right mind, would think it would be a good idea to celebrate the drag queen community and think it will paint your organisation in a favourable light … mentally deranged people, I would suggest.

“Have you heard the phrase, GO WOKE GO BROKE.

People were not happy when Virgin Australia roasted its own customer on Twitter.

“Just think of all your everyday staff who are all going to suffer because of your irrational decisions.”

VA captioned the post: “Thank you for your email Karen, in case you missed it, Pride Flight is on sale now.”

However, the airline took the post down soon after people on social media began to question its decision to publicise a customer’s email.

“I might humbly suggest that the real solution is to just *not* use homophobia as a pretence to hawk plane tickets,” one person wrote.

Sexy Galaxy, Tora Hymen and Maxi Shield on the first ever Adelaide Pride Flight.

“Trying to clickbait both sides to increase engagement? What’s this marketing tactic called? Mirroring? Rage-Baiting?” another said.

But the airline deleted the post on Friday night, admitting it was “an inappropriate thing to do”.

“The decision to post online disrespectful and hateful email communications about our Pride Flights was an error of judgment by our team,” a statement to the Daily Mail said.

“At Virgin Australia, we believe it’s incredibly important that we use our voice to champion and support the LGBTQIA+ community in the places we live, work and fly.”

The statement said it was an attempt to shine a light on intolerance but ultimately concluded it was “inappropriate”.

Launched earlier this month, Pride Flights offer “dazzling” trips ahead of the world’s largest LGBTQI+ celebration in Sydney – WorldPride.

Pride Flight services, which offer entertainment and complimentary drinks, will depart Adelaide and Perth for the first time, joining cities Melbourne and Brisbane with over 1000 seats available.

Originally published as Virgin Australia backflips on a bizarre decision to share customer’s email