Austrian Airlines has abandoned Elon Musk’s increasingly lawless X social media platform (formerly Twitter) after publishing its final post with a witty photo of a member of cabin crew with the caption: “We took a moment to locate our nearest X-it.”
The Vienna-based carrier said that its decision to stop using X was effective immediately, although the airline didn’t initially explain why it would no longer be posting on the social media site.
In response to a request for comment, however, a spokesperson for the airline did not hold back, telling us: “Austrian Airlines is leaving the platform X, as an increasing spread of hate, agitation, and disinformation is perceptible and this is not compatible with our values.”
The statement continued: “Austrian Airlines is pleased to continue to keep its communities up to date on the social media platforms Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn and to offer passengers a corresponding service.”
Passengers can also get in touch with the airline via its website and mobile app.
Austrian isn’t the first airline to have, at least partially, abandoned X following Musk’s controversial takeover of the social media site in October 2022.
In early 2023, Air France said it would no longer offer customer service via direct message on X, following a change of terms and conditions on the platform. Several weeks later, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines also said that it would stop offering customer service via X for the same reasons.
Both Air France and KLM do, however, still have active X accounts and regularly post updates to the site.
Austrian Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group and it appears as if the rest of the German flag carrier’s subsidiaries aren’t yet ready to abandon X. On Thursday, the official accounts of Lufthansa, SWISS, and Brussels Airlines remained active.
Shortly after Musk’s takeover of Twitter, United Airlines joined a growing list of major international companies that pulled the plug on advertising on the site as concerns grew about brand damage owing to uncensored and controversial posts that would be allowed on the platform.
If this airline really had any integrity they would stop selling tickets online. After all, the internet provides a platform for X, and somebody might say something mean on there.
I read this in a 6 year old child voice. Good job buddy, you’re *thinking*
Interesting that only Austrian Airlines is reported to have taken this step. Why not Swiss and Lufthansa too?
Goodbye X but we love you Tic Tox and Facebook. Who derermines?what is hate and misinformation? The Department of Truth?
One good reason never to fly on Austrian Airlines. What a stupid decision.
Like you fly. Like you can afford to fly. Get back in your trailer.
I didn’t even know they were on X.