United Airlines is still feeling backlash from viral video of a passenger, Dr. David Dao, getting dragged off a flight out of Chicago. CEO Oscar Munoz promised to “do better” in a public apology Tuesday (April 11).
“The truly horrific event that occurred on this flight has elicited many response from all of us: outrage, anger, disappointment,” Munoz wrote in a statement on Twitter. “I share all of those sentiments, and one above all: my deepest apologies for what happened.”
Munoz noted that the company takes “full responsibility” for the matter and promised to “work to make it right.”
According to Munoz, the new plan of operation involves a “thorough review” of how to handle “oversold situations,” and examining the airline’s partnerships with “airport authorities and local law enforcement” (Dao was removed from the flight by an office who has been suspended pending an investigation).
The results of the findings will be released by April 30, Munoz said. “I promise you we will do better.”
United CEO Oscar Munoz: I’m sorry. We will fix this. https://t.co/v8EPGsiDCi pic.twitter.com/eOPiYcagvo
— United (@united) April 11, 2017
Munoz has changed his tone since the incident. He initially blamed Dao for being “defiant” and “disruptive” in a leaked internal email to United staff members.
Dao’s “troubled past” has also been exposed, but the suspected smear campaign apparently backfired.
pretty sure the Chicago PD has a much more troubled past https://t.co/5BgRWu6kWx
— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) April 11, 2017
I missed the memo where “troubled past” equated “can be beaten bloody for not giving up a seat you paid for”.
I’ll keep checking, though.
— Aaron Mahnke (@amahnke) April 11, 2017
Meanwhile, United’s stock went from rising to lost millions in market value, over the last 24 hours. On the bright side, social media won’t stop roasting the airline with glorious memes and tweets.
Peep some of the hilarious #UnitedAirlinesMottos below.
The best one by far, but I can’t find original poster: “Board as a Doctor, leave as a patient” #UnitedAirlines #UnitedAirlinesMottos
— M. (@dxbgirlvsworld) April 11, 2017
Our extra leg room reclining seats now available #UnitedAirlines #UnitedAirlinesMottos pic.twitter.com/rhpNcMzSTf
— Russ Davies (@russidavies) April 11, 2017
The best so far.. 😂 #UnitedAirlinesMottos pic.twitter.com/9fwqociNzj
— Hassa AlDeweesh ? (@HasDew) April 11, 2017
We are asking politely y’all
We need four volunteers
Heads Up: We are chambered w live ammo#NewUnitedAirlinesMottos #UnitedAirlinesMottos pic.twitter.com/QOIHfI8xzw— #CalExit NaphiSoc (@NaphiSoc) April 11, 2017
You can run but you can’t fly#NewUnitedAirlinesMottos pic.twitter.com/2joEKUOI89
— United Airlines (@Fake_UnitedPR) April 11, 2017