United Airlines reaches compensation agreement with Vietnamese-American doctor

(Baonghean.vn)-Vietnamese-American doctor David Dao, who was dragged off a United Airlines plane last month, has accepted compensation from the airline.

Airlines need to be more thorough if they don't want to make the same mistake as United Airlines.

Immediately after reaching the compensation agreement, Thomas Demetrio, the client of passenger David Dao, had "winged" words for United Airlines. Mr. Demetrio said: "United Airlines said they would do the right thing and they kept their promise. Besides, United has taken full responsibility for what happened on flight number 3411 without blaming others. With this sincere attitude, United deserves to be applauded."

However, before exchanging compliments, lawyer Demetrio strongly criticized the apology of United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz, saying it was insincere and “staged”. It was the inappropriate apologies that turned the United Airlines crisis into a media disaster, dealing a heavy blow to the airline’s operations.

United Airlines had previously faced a public backlash when images of a 69-year-old Vietnamese-American doctor being assaulted and dragged from his seat on a domestic flight showed him suffering a head injury, a broken nose, and two missing front teeth in an experience his lawyer described as “more horrific and terrifying” than his escape during the Vietnam War.

After that unforgettable incident, United Airlines had to face a wave of boycotts in the US and in its most important foreign market, China. This incident is considered the worst experience for any airline.

However, as soon as they realized the mistake, United took steps to correct it. From apologizing repeatedly to refunding passengers on the flight that had problems or changing policies to ensure “no one is treated that way.”

United Airlines passengers are now being offered up to $10,000 if they give up their seats, a change that Dao's lawyer says should be "celebrated."

Reaching a settlement with Dr. Dao appears to have resolved United Airlines’ biggest concern of late, meaning the airline will avoid having to go to court, adding to its bad reputation and customer animosity.

Not only United Airlines, some airlines that are in disgrace also have moves to attract customers such as Delta Airlines increasing ticket compensation up to $9,950 and Southwest Airlines pledging to end the practice of overselling tickets.

Nhat Minh

(According to BBC)