Brittany Hockley, the former Bachelor star, was involved in a heated exchange with Etihad Airways staff at Sydney Airport on Friday over an excess baggage fee of $1,000 (£550). Photographs show the 32-year-old pointing her finger at a staff member while trying to check in two suitcases.
Two police officers arrived at the check-in desk moments later. Hockley was travelling to Europe on a work permit to support her tennis player boyfriend Jordan Thompson, who is competing in the region.
An Etihad spokesperson said: 'Etihad is aware of this particular case and while we are disappointed that Ms. Hockley was not fully satisfied with her travelling experience, we stand by the way this case was handled.' The spokesperson explained that the fee was fixed per kilogram according to the destination, and due to limited capacity for cargo, a premium applied.
In Instagram Stories on Sunday, Hockley detailed her frustration, claiming she tried to book an extra bag online but was told it had to be done at the desk. She said she was charged $1,000 for one additional bag on an empty flight and was denied an upgrade to first or business class. She called the fee 'ridiculous' and said she had never flown anything but economy.
