In the era of social media influence, having a substantial online following can sometimes lead to unexpected outcomes. A recent incident involving Victoria Paris, a 24-year-old influencer with 1.7 million TikTok followers, showcases the power of her online presence.
When Air France lost her suitcase during a trip from Los Angeles to Lisbon, Paris took matters into her own hands and initiated a social media campaign that quickly gained traction among her followers, eventually resulting in the recovery of her lost belongings.
Air France
Experiencing frustration with the airline’s handling of the situation, Paris decided to launch what she referred to as a “war” against Air France.
Through her various social media platforms, she voiced her grievances and encouraged her nearly two million followers on TikTok and Instagram to inundate Air France’s social media pages with comments, expressing their dissatisfaction.
The response from Paris’s followers was immediate and overwhelming. Thousands of comments flooded Air France’s social media accounts, demanding answers and the safe return of Victoria’s bags. Messages such as “Where are Victoria’s bags?? WE WANT ANSWERS” and “Stop holding Victoria’s bags hostage” intensified the pressure on the airline to take action.
Meanwhile, Paris found herself in Lisbon without her suitcase and limited clothing options. In a TikTok video, she shared her frustration and revealed that an Apple AirTag attached to her luggage indicated that it was still in France while she was in Portugal.
Triumphantly
As the public outcry escalated, Air France took notice. On the same day that Paris publicly complained about the incident, she posted a follow-up video showing that the airline had located her bag and sent it to her. Triumphantly, she declared,
“They say bullying doesn’t work, but after thousands of comments on the Air France Instagram and TikTok (pages), the bags are coming home to Mama.”
With her lost luggage situation resolved, Paris’s tone shifted. She requested her followers to leave thank you notes for the airline, and once again, they complied.
Comments like “Thanks for getting our queen’s baggage back <3” inundated her social media posts, indicating a transition from criticism to gratitude.
While the case of Victoria Paris is not an isolated incident, as other public figures have resorted to publicly shaming airlines for lost luggage, it is important to consider the broader implications. Influencers leveraging their followers to coerce companies into resolving personal issues can create a power imbalance.
Not all travelers have the privilege of a large following or the ability to publicly shame an airline when their bags go missing. For many, lost luggage leads to lengthy and frustrating searches, and some unfortunate travelers never recover their belongings.
Examples of Influencers Misusing Their Followers:
Victoria Paris is not the only public figure to use social media to publicly shame an airline for lost luggage. Professional poker player Steve O’Dwyer also took to Twitter and a live broadcast to call out Lufthansa Airlines when his bags went missing for 72 hours.
O’Dwyer expressed his determination to criticize the airline at every opportunity, stating, “You messed with the wrong passenger.”
These incidents highlight the advantage that influencers possess due to their large followings, which provide a ready-made army of supporters to amplify their voices.
However, it is crucial to consider the ethical implications of this influence. Influencers should strive to use their platforms responsibly and avoid misusing their power solely for personal gain. Instead, they could advocate for improvements in airline customer service or engage in constructive dialogue with the companies involved.
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