Updated on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 12: 10 p.m.PT: In light of the recent negative experience rapper Juvenile endured on his flight to Fort Worth, TX this week, American Airlines has since responded to provide an apology and additional context on the matter.
According to an AA spokesperson, the reason behind Juvie’s first class seat being downgraded to coach had to do with “downgraded equipment” on the flight itself which resulted in four fewer first class seats than originally planned. His particular flight went from an A320 to an A319, for context. Affected customers, which were identified by an automated process, were offered a main cabin extra seat in lieu of a first class seat.
In a statement sent to The Root, the spokesperson said:
“American Airlines strives to provide a positive experience to every traveler and we apologize for Mr. Gray’s recent experience with us. An unplanned change in aircraft type affected his seat assignment, and we regret he wasn’t notified prior to boarding. A member of our team has spoken with Mr. Gray personally to resolve the situation.”
The airline also made it clear that the “Rodeo” rapper was not kicked off the flight.
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It appears American Airlines has set things off when it comes to its relationship with rapper Juvenile ...thanks to a recent unfortunate encounter.
In a since-expired Instagram Live session on Tuesday, the beloved New Orleans rapper was seen being informed by two flight attendants that he had to give up his seat in first class on a flight to Fort Worth, TX for a performance on his “Back That Azz Up 25th Anniversary” tour. When asked by his wife why his seat had been downgraded and not hers, the attendants explained that they were just going off of what was being shown on their side internally.
“Man they trying to kick me off the plane!” an incredulous Juvie said in a screengrab captured by AllHipHop. As the attendants persisted, both he and his wife ultimately decided to deplane.
“This ain’t never happened to me in my life. Man, y’all tripping. I’m a celebrity,” he said. “I’m telling you this is going be repercussions. It’s going be repercussions to this because I’m going to get off the plane. I’m going to get off the plane. I’m not going to let y’all disrespect me like that. I’m not going to let y’all choose me out of all the people on the plane and disrespect me. So I’m going to get off the plane.”
In a followup video posted to his official Instagram, the “Slow Motion” rapper went on to express his displeasure with the airline but assured his Texas fans that he’d still be performing as he hopped on another plane and was headed that way.
“Talking bout first class. First class? I think I know a thing or two about first class,” the “Back That Azz Up” rapper said while scrolling through alleged past American Airline bookings in first class. “Fuck American Airlines all the money I done spent with you bitches...they gon’ try to put me in coach motherfucker? I ain’t never flew coach. Fuck y’all, I feel played.”