Holidaymaker says BA flight left her battered and bruised

A holidaymaker has shared her harrowing experience on a British Airways flight, describing it as leaving her battered and bruised. Sari Sumaryono, a 41-year-old mother, was travelling to Indonesia with her nine-month-old baby when she encountered a series of unfortunate events during her journey last month. Sumaryono, who had paid nearly £4,000 for two premium economy seats, revealed that her nightmare journey began with a two-hour delay at check-in due to a missing seat reservation for her son.

Sumaryono claimed that the airline staff provided no assistance and ignored her call light multiple times during the flight. She also stated that the monitor in her seat was faulty, falling onto her leg and ankle, resulting in multiple bruises. Additionally, she discovered that her connecting flight ticket had been cancelled, causing further disruptions. Sumaryono’s ordeal continued as she found herself on a faulty chair during the 40-hour journey, which lacked reclining functionality, a working monitor, and USB charger.

Photos taken after the flight show Sumaryono covered in bruises, prompting her to swear off flying with British Airways in the future. She expressed her disbelief at the mistreatment she endured, considering it the worst travel experience she had ever encountered. Sumaryono, who had been travelling extensively between Indonesia and the Cayman Islands, felt particularly distraught as the trip was meant to be a significant one, marking her first visit back to Indonesia after her father’s recent passing.

Despite the challenges she faced, Sumaryono highlighted the lack of assistance from the cabin crew and the physical discomfort she endured throughout the journey. She recounted how her requests for help were ignored, leaving her in pain and distress. The inability to recline her seat for 13 hours on the London to Hong Kong leg of the flight added to her discomfort, resulting in bruises and back pain.

In response to Sumaryono’s complaints, British Airways issued an apology and assured her that they were working to address the issues she faced. Sumaryono’s traumatic experience has led her to warn other travellers, especially mothers, against choosing British Airways for their flights. She recounted feeling appalled by the treatment she received and emphasised that she would not wish such an experience on anyone else.

Sumaryono’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of customer care and passenger comfort during air travel. It sheds light on the challenges faced by travellers, especially those flying with young children, and underscores the need for airlines to prioritise passenger well-being and safety. Sumaryono’s courage in sharing her story has brought attention to the issues she encountered, sparking discussions on improving the overall travel experience for passengers.