Indian chess Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi recently took to social media to criticize British Airways after facing what he called the worst flight experience of his life.
The 21-year-old, currently ranked third in the world by FIDE, described being involuntarily downgraded and alleged that the airline staff behaved rudely. He also stated that his baggage was delayed for over 48 hours.
Erigaisi posted his complaints on X, formerly Twitter. “Worst experience flying with British Airways. Involuntarily downgrade, rude employees, no communication, bags delayed for over 48 hours,” he wrote.
He added that despite submitting all required forms and emails, there had been no follow-up from the airline. “Even worse part is I’ve to fly back with you,” he added.
The airline has not issued a public response yet. The specific details of Erigaisi’s travel route have not been made public. His post quickly gained traction online, with several users echoing similar complaints about British Airways. One user advised choosing alternative carriers like Qatar Airways or Emirates for future travel, calling British Airways one of the worst options.
Erigaisi is scheduled to compete in the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, to be held in Uzbekistan from September 3 to 16. The tournament is a key qualifier for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. He will be one of the top seeds alongside India’s R Praggnanandhaa and other top global players including Alireza Firouzja, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Anish Giri.
The incident has made it clear that let alone for commoners, even for elite athletes representing their countries on the global stage, getting quality service on an airline is a far fetched dream at this point.
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