British Airways today sacked a stewardess who posted a racist Snapchat rant attacking Nigerian passengers after she was called in for a two-hour meeting with bosses, the Daily Mail reported.
Joanne Wickenden, 23-years-old, sparked outrage after she recorded the racist clip in her British Airways uniform before flying from London Heathrow to Abuja on Friday night.
After a two-hour meeting with bosses on Tuesday, MailOnline said she claims that the video which she uploaded via her Snapchat was ‘just a joke’ adding that she was set up by a British Airways colleague who recorded her and shared the clip.
In a statement on Tuesday, revealed by MailOnline, British Airways said, Wickenden no longer works with the airline as their staff are expected to be of utmost professionalism when representing the airline.
“She no longer works for British Airways. We expect the utmost professionalism from our staff when they are representing British Airways.”
MailOnline reported that 23-year-old Wickenden, who wants to be an actress, told her friends that she is not a racist.
“I am not a racist,” she said, claiming that the video was just “a joke.”
She told MailOnline that, I have been framed by another British Airline employee. They were encouraging me, egging me on to say things. They were recording me and sent it around to our friends, she said I don’t want to fly anymore.
A friend said that the other colleague wanted her to impersonate what goes on the flight.
A source told MailOnline that the video, which was captioned ‘I can’t cope with this flight’ – was circulated among ‘horrified’ British Airways cabin crew who are ‘very concerned’.
In the expletive-filled footage, Ms Wickenden said: 'All Nigerians are going to be asking for f****** upgrades' - after claiming the men would need more leg room in an apparent joke about the size of their privates.
'Alright, so all of yous are there getting ready for your Friday night, getting in the pre-drinks, you know, as you do.
'And I'm here, getting ready to go to work, put on a yellow life jacket, point out the exits, hand out chicken or beef, what sort of Friday night is this for me?
'The upside is I'm going to Nigeria and there's gonna be bare B**, I'm joking, I'm joking.
All the Nigerians are gonna be there like 'gimme Coca Cola, gimme me beef, why you have no beef left? I want beef.'
'And I'm just gonna be there like, 'Sorry sir, we ran out of beef’.
'All the Nigerians are gonna be there asking for f****** upgrades because they haven't got enough leg room because their B**s are in their way. Big d**** like this swinging from side to side.'