Photos have surfaced of Brittany Hockley getting into a heated conversation with Etihad Airways staff over her excess-baggage fee at Sydney Airport on Friday.
The Bachelor star, 32, appeared agitated as she confronted a staff member about being slapped with an additional $1,000 fee for travelling with an extra bag.
At one stage, Brittany even pointed her finger at the airport worker while trying to check in her two suitcases.
Dispute: Photos have surfaced of Brittany Hockley getting into a heated conversation with Etihad Airways staff over her excess-baggage fee at Sydney Airport on Friday
Moments later, two police officers arrived at the check-in desk.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Brittany Hockley.
An Etihad spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: ‘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.’
‘Ahead of the flight, our guest services team informed the passenger of the excess baggage fee per kilogramme, which is fixed according to the end destination. It was also explained that as a codeshare flight, excess baggage had to be purchased at the airport.’
‘Due to the limited capacity available in support of critical cargo movements globally, there is, unfortunately, a premium on cargo and baggage costs.’
‘While we do our best to accommodate guests, it is not always possible to provide upgrades at the time of check-in, depending on the catering provisioned for the flight.’
Prior to checking in, Brittany had arrived at Sydney Airport dressed casually in black tights, a white T-shirt, a beige coat and a pair of white sneakers.
Brittany was travelling overseas on a work permit to provide administrative services for her tennis player boyfriend Jordan Thompson, who is competing in Europe.
Tense: The Bachelor star, 32, appeared agitated as she confronted a staff member about being slapped with an additional $1,000 fee for travelling with an extra bag
Stepping in: Moments later, two police officers arrived at the check-in desk
On Sunday, she shared a series of Instagram Stories in which she explained how she had trouble booking an extra bag online.
Upon arrival at the airport, she claimed she was hit with a $1,000 fee for her second bag, and was denied an upgrade to first or business class when she asked.
Brittany wrote: ‘So because I’m working overseas I had to take an extra bag for equipment. So a total of two bags.
Arrival: Prior to checking in, Brittany had arrived at Sydney Airport dressed casually in black tights, a white T-shirt, a beige coat and a pair of white sneakers
Work trip: Brittany was travelling overseas on a work permit to provide administrative services for her tennis player boyfriend Jordan Thompson, who is competing in Europe
Lovebirds: Brittany is pictured with boyfriend Jordan Thompson in a recent Instagram selfie
‘I tried to book the extra bag online but the website wouldn’t let me. So I called up. They also wouldn’t let me. Said it had to be done at the desk. Asked for a cost for an extra bag, she “couldn’t tell me – she had no figures”.’
She went on: ‘I get to the airport, they charge me an extra $1,000 for one bag. On an empty flight. $1000 for one bag.
‘So I asked if I have to pay an extra $1,000 now can I at least upgrade. They said no, they can’t, because “it’s a food thing.” Actually unbelievable @etihad.’
Her side of the story: On Sunday, Brittany shared a series of Instagram Stories in which she explained how she had trouble booking an extra bag online
Account: Upon arrival at the airport, she claimed she was hit with a $1,000 fee for her second bag, and was denied an upgrade to first or business class when she asked
The former reality star then deflected potential concerns that she could be seen as ‘entitled’ for making the request.
‘Asking for the upgrade is not being “entitled” but that’s what it costs to bid for the upgrade anyway,’ she said.
‘And the seats were empty. I’ve never flown anything but economy ever so would have been nice seeing as though I paid the extra anyhow. FYI First class and the other cabins had a few people in there.
Gripe: She complained, ‘They charge me an extra $1,000 for one bag. On an empty flight. $1,000 for one bag… Like, $1,000 for an extra bag under any circumstance is ridiculous’
Brittany shared her account of what happened on Instagram. Etihad Airways is yet to respond
‘I get that they need to make money, but not being able to do it on the website OR over the phone then being stung for $1,000 at the airport and no upgrade when I’ve paid the money anyway and it made no difference once on the plane seemed a lot.
‘Like, $1,000 for an extra bag under any circumstance is ridiculous.’
Brittany also shared a video of the empty-looking plane, alongside the sarcastic caption: ‘I hope they serve me first.’
The Etihad website states that baggage costs depend on the route being taken.
Not amused: ‘So I asked if I have to pay an extra $1,000 now can I at least upgrade. They said no, they can’t, because “it’s a food thing”. Actually unbelievable @etihad,’ Brittany added