Mark Zuckerberg’s sister takes aim at Alaska Air

Founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, isn’t a stranger to having his name in the spotlight, but now his sister, Randi, has made headlines for a different kind of reason.

Amidst all the scandals revolving sexual assault and harassment in industries like film and entertainment, Randi became embroiled in her own drama, and it happened on Alaska Air. Unfortunately, the airline wasn’t as supportive as you might expect.

Taking to Twitter on the issue, Randi said she felt “disgusted and degraded” after the passenger next to her allegedly made “repeated lewd sexual remarks”.

“The flight attendants told me he was a frequent flier, brushed off his behavior & kept giving him drinks. I guess his $ means more than our safety?” she wrote.

She also sent a letter to Alaska Airlines executive staff, including CEO, Brad Tilden, VP Airport Operations and Customer Service, Jeff Butler, and VP Inflight Services, Andy Schneider.

She claimed the man started harassing her the moment he joined her in First Class, and talked about “touching himself”, “rated and commented on the women’s bodies boarding the aircraft” and if she ever “fantasised” about the female business colleague she was travelling with, among other thing.

You can read the whole thing here:

Feeling disgusted & degraded after an @AlaskaAir flight where the passenger next to me made repeated lewd sexual remarks. The flight attendants told me he was a frequent flier, brushed off his behavior & kept giving him drinks. I guess his $ means more than our safety? My letter: pic.twitter.com/xOkDpb0dYU
— Randi Zuckerberg (@randizuckerberg) November 30, 2017

The staff allegedly brushed it off, as the man was a frequent flier on that exact route, and to “not take it personally”.

While Zuckerberg admitted to being furious she didn’t make more of a scene and furious he ruined her flight experience, she claimed she was more furious at the response from Alaska Airlines.

“I am even more furious with Alaska Airlines for knowingly and willingly providing this man with a platform to harass women.

“For knowing about this behaviour and being more concerned with taking his money than for the safety and security of the other passengers around him.”

Zuckerberg added she was “considering further action” on the matter.

Alaska Airlines responded via a comment on her tweet, which said:

What you have shared with us is very disturbing. We have launched an investigation and have revoked this passenger’s travel privileges pending the outcome of that investigation. We wish to discuss this further with you. Please DM us so we can connect tonight.
— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) November 30, 2017

For the record, Zuckerberg added that she’d spoken to two Alaska Airline executives, who confirmed they were conducting an investigation into the issue, and that the passenger had had his travelling privileges temporarily suspended.

UPDATE: I just got off the phone with two executives from @AlaskaAir who informed me that they are conducting an investigation and have temporarily suspended this passenger’s travel privileges. Thank you for taking this seriously.
— Randi Zuckerberg (@randizuckerberg) November 30, 2017

Advertise with us

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Alaska Air Alaska Airlines randi zuckerberg