SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – Forget dust-ups over reclining seats in economy class. There’s a new and exclusive twist on inflight anger: Nut rage in first class.
A recent Korean Air Lines flight was delayed when the daughter of its chairman ordered a senior crew member off the plane for allowing passengers in the pointy end of the aircraft to be served bagged macadamia nuts instead of nuts on a plate.
The airline has apologized for inconveniencing passengers, but also excused the woman’s behavior.
South Korean daily Segye Ilbo reported this week that the flight from New York City to Incheon, South Korea returned to the gate after Cho Hyun-ah told the head of cabin crew to leave the plane. The report said Cho quarreled with crew in the first class cabin and the flight departed 20 minutes late.
Cho, 40, is vice president responsible for cabin service at the airline. She is the oldest child of Korean Air’s chairman, tycoon Cho Yang-ho. Her two siblings are also executives at South Korea’s largest airline.