Australian radio personality Nikki Osborne has launched a blistering broadside against national carrier Qantas, recounting a horrific 14-hour flight experience that she describes as nothing short of a nightmare. The Nova FM host's viral social media post has ignited a fresh wave of criticism against the already beleaguered airline.
Osborne's ordeal began on a flight from Australia to the UK when she discovered her premium seat was not just broken, but allegedly soiled with the previous passenger's vomit. In a detailed and furious post, she documented spending the entire long-haul journey in a fully reclined position, unable to sit up due to the malfunctioning mechanism.
'Disgusting and Unacceptable': The Full Story
The situation deteriorated further when Osborne claims she identified the source of a persistent foul odour: dried vomit residue on her seatbelt and surrounding area. She immediately alerted cabin crew, who confirmed the contamination but allegedly offered no adequate solution beyond a perfunctory wipe-down with a damp cloth.
"The entire situation was disgusting and unacceptable," Osborne stated. She expressed particular frustration at being offered a mere 5,000 frequent flyer points as compensation for enduring what she called a "traumatic" experience that left her feeling physically unwell.
Qantas's Response Fuels the Fire
The airline's customer service team responded by offering a £230 voucher towards a future flight—a gesture Osborne slammed as insulting. She calculated this amounted to roughly £16 per hour for her discomfort, a valuation she found outrageous.
This incident adds to a growing list of public relations challenges for Qantas, which has recently faced intense scrutiny over flight cancellations, customer service failures, and executive bonuses. The story has resonated strongly with UK travellers who frequently use the airline for trips to Australia and Asia.
Osborne has vowed to never fly with Qantas again unless she receives a proper apology and appropriate compensation, telling her followers: "I will never, ever fly with this disgusting airline again." The court of public opinion seems to be firmly on her side, as the story continues to gain traction across social media platforms.
