'Harry Potter' actor slams Air Canada after travelling to Toronto: 'Worst airline'
An actor from the "Harry Potter" franchise is calling out Air Canada for having the "worst" service after he travelled to Toronto.
Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom in all eight "Harry Potter" films, took to Twitter on Friday to share his experience with Canada's largest airline.
"Confirmed. Air Canada is the worst airline in North America. And that’s saying something," the 33-year-old U.K. native wrote in a tweet published Friday.
Confirmed. @AirCanada is the worst airline in North America. And that’s saying something.
— 🇺🇦Matthew Lewis🇺🇦 (@Mattdavelewis) August 26, 2022
According to "CTV News," Lewis said Air Canada representatives kicked him out of first class on Friday morning after he approached the gate at Orlando International Airport.
"Literally tearing my ticket up. No explanation other than 'full flight,'" the actor told "CTV News."
"They said if I wanted to sort it I should go to customer service. I asked where that was. 'Toronto.' I’m in Orlando."
The "Me Before You" and "All Creatures Great and Small" star was travelling to Toronto to be at the Fan Expo, where he was scheduled to be appear on Aug. 27 and 28.
"Air Canada customer service is s***e," he said in a statement. "And we, as a society, should not be okay with normalizing the profiteering of overbooking and kicking people off flights."
Hundreds of Twitter users shared similar experiences dealing with the airline, while some warned of more hurdles he'd have to face when entering Canada.
Just wait until you get to customs! #ArriveCan app & line ups to enter will blow your mind🤯 It gets worse!
— VictoriaL59 (@Victoria59L) August 27, 2022
Ugh so sorry this happened to you! They are the worst. They refused to take my luggage in London, had to pay $500 cad to get it shipped to Toronto. Still won’t reply to my emails. Good luck, hope you make it! 🤞🏻
— brittbodsッ (@Brittbods) August 26, 2022
Pre-pandemic, I actually thought Air Canada was one of the best airlines in the world. A bit over-priced, but good service, good food, and great in-flight entertainment in econo class. Now? Atrociously terrible service. It’s embarrassing. I’m sorry you went through that.
— Ashley Jane (@janester85) August 27, 2022
I bought a ticket from westjet for the next day and obviously no issues flying and getting into Scotland. After 2 weeks, AC still has not responded to my complaint (only email as per their staff). I have wasted so much money on tickets, lodging, car rental because of @AirCanada
— Evelyn Cheung (@Evelynnm_Cheung) August 27, 2022
Just last week, my niece had a flight from Toronto to DC. Her 4:10 pm flight was re-scheduled 4 times-the claim technical issues. Last attempt, after boarding- plane sat on the tarmac for over an hour. Based on check-in time to her arrival-driving is faster.
— L Thomas (@_rainethomas) August 27, 2022
Others tried to explain to Lewis why he might've had a such a bad experience.
I'm sorry to hear, air camada wasn't always bad. I would say the last 5 years air canada has gone downhill... they really need to step up their game, you're not the only person having problems. I hope you're able to return home safe after your stay in Canada.
— Jenny (@VvJennifer) August 27, 2022
We always fly AC, especially to Europe. We’ve been on countless flights, never had a problem. They are a good airline, these are just trying times.
— booey74 (@DobsonErin) August 27, 2022
But in a reply to another Twitter user, Lewis explained that his issue wasn't with Air Canada bumping his first class flight, but with the lack of professionalism he experienced with the airline's staff.
"I've been bumped before. I think it's a ludicrous policy that we've inexplicably normalized, but it is what it is," he tweeted. "That said, that's not my issues.. I wasn't told til' boarding, no apology, no 'ask' if [I'd] like to rebook, and if [I] want a refund, I have to call them."
Ya I know. I’ve been bumped before. I think it’s a ludicrous policy that we’ve inexplicably normalised but it is what it is. That said, that’s not my issue.. I wasn’t told til boarding, no apology, no ask if like to rebook, and if want a refund I have to call them.
— 🇺🇦Matthew Lewis🇺🇦 (@Mattdavelewis) August 27, 2022