Guys, missiles might be striking airports in the Middle East as the Gulf carriers face an existential crisis, but will someone please think of the travel influencers?!
In this post:
Qatar Airways crew angers influencer over filming request
A points and travel influencer named Ed Soto took to Instagram to share his frustration with Qatar Airways, after crews on three of four flights asked him to stop filming them. I’ll just let his caption speak for itself, because it’s quite something:
@qatarairways You Staff needs to do A LOT better.
I’ve taken 4 Flights in @qatarairways in the Past 2 Weeks, and let’s say that apart from @kevinhart4real doing the Security Video (it’s good because of @kevinhart4real ). I Do not understand how they can be named “BEST” in anything.
This employee gave the same attitude to my wife, and she is the kindest person you’ll meet, let’s say I didn’t like it either.
As content creators it’s important to understand that people and some employees want their privacy, HOWEVER.
1. For travelers recording content, for some it’s part of the experience, regardless of whether it’s a creator or not.
2. This happened on 3/4 flight with @qatarairways if you are Staff, you can kindly ask AFTER they are done recording that you don’t want to be in a video, we can always edit to eliminate faces out of respect.
3. Someone paying Business/First Class, it’s a whole experience, if someone enters a plane and you start complaining about something, you are not only lowering the experience, you are ruining someone’s excitement for a trip, holiday, or flight.
4. This was a 9 hour flight, and came at total disrespect of the employee, gave me an attitude and started complaining.
As a creator we record in different places consistently, specially on Business/First class flights.
Same way we can be cordial, employees should still give the same respect to passangers.
For my fellow travellers. What are your thoughts?
The video that goes along with this caption shows the man walking onto the plane filming, as his wife films a video walking in behind him. And yeah, despite his claim that he can always blur faces out of respect, he chooses not to do that, despite the crew’s clear desire for that.
His responses to some of the comments on the post are quite something as well. Someone writes:
They are their for your safety and service. Not for your entertainment. Maybe seek permission first?
And he responds:
no one is asking for them to do anything, just let passengers enter in peace without disturbing, just like I wasnt disturbing anyone.
Furthermore, there’s a passenger behind you should be taking care off instead of wasting your time and mine.
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t expect anything more from Qatar airways.
They might have some good seats, but service is worse than a lot of US airlines.
I’ll gladly share my take on this Qatar Airways situation
Ed asks his fellow travelers what their thoughts are, so let me chime in. I think I’m pretty qualified to do so, given that I’m also someone who meticulously documents flights, so you’d think on some level, we have similar experiences.
For me it’s pretty simple — it’s not okay to film other people onboard flights without permission. Period. Virtually every airline has a policy of not filming others without permission, and I’m not sure why that’s so hard to understand. In the limited situations where I do have crew members in pictures, it’s after I explicitly ask them if it’s okay to take photos, and ask them if they’re okay being in them.
The rule isn’t “oh, film all you want, and then afterwards faces can be blurred upon request.” I’m just looking through some of Ed’s past content, and I can’t find that he has ever blurred out faces (though maybe I’m missing something?).
And of course the irony here is that he’s claiming he’s perfectly willing to blur out faces if crews request that, but then proceeds to make a post with the full faces of the crew members who asked him to not film.
Also, just general tip, but if you want to fly under the radar a bit, essentially boarding with a convoy of cameras (the person in the front filming, and then the person behind filming the person in front) might not be the best way to do so.
So yeah, I’m going to side with Qatar Airways and the crew here. Within an aircraft, you shouldn’t film other people without their permission, and it’s not a case of “it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.” Also, it’s lovely that your wife is “the kindest person you’ll meet,” but that doesn’t mean the rules don’t apply to her. But maybe I’ll try that the next time I’m pulled over — “officer, but I’m the nicest person you’ll ever meet, does the speed limit really apply to me?”
There’s just so much here to unpack. I’m also amused how this happened on three of four flights. So on the first flight they told him not to film, and then he did it again. And then on the second flight they asked him not to film, so he did it again. Oy.
Let me of course emphasize that I’m talking specifically about airline policies here, and not about laws of particular countries, which can vary. For example, in the United States, you legally have permission to film in airports, in the sense that you won’t face any legal repercussions for doing so. But that’s different than an individual airline policy, which could get you kicked off a flight for filming employees in gate areas, onboard flights, etc.
Bottom line
A content creator isn’t happy after Qatar Airways crews on multiple flights ask him not to film them. Virtually every airline has a policy of not recording crew members or other passengers without permission, but I guess this guy either isn’t aware of that, or just doesn’t think it applies to him.
I’d almost buy his defense of essentially saying “oh, I can blur out the faces later,” but then he… proceeds to not blur out the faces later, despite the crews clearly not wanting to be recorded.
Where do you stand on this? Do you side with the content creator or Qatar Airways?
I follow a lot of helpful, mature, professional, interesting influencers. But this guy's level of privilege is something. What a jerk.
Anyone see this?
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWWtqIdAUKr/?igsh=a2VmNWpzNWxoaTRp
Ohhh fuk! He's Colombian! No wonder. Have never met a Colombian I've liked, or could trust, or wouldn't sell their ass for a buck to make a dime!
It's sad you are giving this guy real organic exposure. Just look at the ratio of his 'followers' vs the average reel views, likes and comments. LOL
Why would you give this guy the time of day - I met him at a Prince of Travel conference long before he was influencer status. He was obnoxious then and is obnoxious now. He knew nothing and has learnt all his dirty tricks from every conceivable ' travel blogger'.
To add, Prince of Travel, I realized started out with noble intentions but now has fed information into the large pool of insufferable travel bloggers....
Why would you give this guy the time of day - I met him at a Prince of Travel conference long before he was influencer status. He was obnoxious then and is obnoxious now. He knew nothing and has learnt all his dirty tricks from every conceivable ' travel blogger'.
To add, Prince of Travel, I realized started out with noble intentions but now has fed information into the large pool of insufferable travel bloggers. Good, or rather great information should be behind a barrier unless the people who receive it have good intentions.
Influencers = Parasites
I don't see how one can use the word "influencers" without putting it like that, in inverted commas. There ought to have been a grammar rule by now.
He an wife are both total parasitic morons! The horrible grammar is the icing on the cake!!
*and
Although I find it quite convenient that Ben embedded the Reel with this full time drama queef, I hate the fact that this couple financially gains from our clicks. I would suggest henceforth to generate AI cartoon versions of this type of social gunk, so we all get the point without benefiting trashfluencers.
I think the airline should ban him and they should do so in a public way. Then, may be other airlines will follow suit. I am very happy that this happened. I am tired of people like this feeling entitled and not following the policy or having a basic level of respect for other people. Agree with the comment that this blog should not be linking to content like this but an article to discuss...
I think the airline should ban him and they should do so in a public way. Then, may be other airlines will follow suit. I am very happy that this happened. I am tired of people like this feeling entitled and not following the policy or having a basic level of respect for other people. Agree with the comment that this blog should not be linking to content like this but an article to discuss it is fine.
About your comment regarding filiming in US airports, generally that's correct unless at a secure area like the security check or immigration, etc.
I’d film you, since you’re here.
"The more one investigates this influencer character, the more one realises that he is an undeniable racist. A bigot and self promoting narcissist.
In many countries of the world the USA, GB and Europe, etc, black and brown folks are being discriminated against in favour of the white skin races. That is also self evident in this influence videos. Not a black or brown white skin person to be seen unless he is berating...
"The more one investigates this influencer character, the more one realises that he is an undeniable racist. A bigot and self promoting narcissist.
In many countries of the world the USA, GB and Europe, etc, black and brown folks are being discriminated against in favour of the white skin races. That is also self evident in this influence videos. Not a black or brown white skin person to be seen unless he is berating them. As the brown skinned crew in he video can testify, The influencer is an unmistakable racist."
Oh, please....silly comment, boy.
"The usual suspects…. get back in coach until u can behave."
"Do you really think this self-absorbed ambassador of main character syndrome audacity will ever NOT do such BS? All it cares about is $$$ no matter what. And this is why seppos are so disliked."
Influencers suck. are obnoxious most of the time, entitled all of the time. Get an honest job.
Qatar should just ban him and his wife. Would make every other passengers life better.
End of story
More than hat. Airlines should share
Do Not Fly lists
I do not want to be filmed, end of.
These so called people think the world owes a living
Your syntax is awful.
“Influencer” and “content creator” seem to be a euphemism for asshole……..
It’s wrong pure and simple. There are very specific limited cases where you film without permission-investigative journalism, etc. - otherwise people have a right to go about their jobs unhindered.
I remember when I first started filming on planes 30 years ago the rule was you could only film from the back looking forward - because there may be people on the aircraft who were with people they were not supposed to be with....
It’s wrong pure and simple. There are very specific limited cases where you film without permission-investigative journalism, etc. - otherwise people have a right to go about their jobs unhindered.
I remember when I first started filming on planes 30 years ago the rule was you could only film from the back looking forward - because there may be people on the aircraft who were with people they were not supposed to be with. Well, those times have clearly changed, but the rules of common courtesy remain.
Self described “content creators” and “influencers” are completely insufferable and this one seems especially so. Is anyone actually “influenced” by these people except other insufferables?
Easy solution. Leave the "Influencers" in an area where the Bombs/missiles are falling.problem will solve itself and Influencers will really have something to complain about!
I often wonder how these people would feel if someone had a camera on them all day as they do their job? Or am I giving them too much credit by assuming they have real employment.
Influencers are scum of the earth.
Another privileged moron who thinks an iPhone camera makes them a journalist or relevant. And he likely didn't pay anything for this flight, either getting it free from Qatar (influencers, ugh), used miles or paid for by sponsors. So quit with phony outrage and manipulated events just to get views. We know the algorithms say anger and outrage drive more views. My experience, paid for by me with real dollars, is that Qatar is far...
Another privileged moron who thinks an iPhone camera makes them a journalist or relevant. And he likely didn't pay anything for this flight, either getting it free from Qatar (influencers, ugh), used miles or paid for by sponsors. So quit with phony outrage and manipulated events just to get views. We know the algorithms say anger and outrage drive more views. My experience, paid for by me with real dollars, is that Qatar is far and away one of the better airlines I've flown, business and coach, from gate agents to flight attendants. Far better than the casual indifference I get on most domestic airlines (looking at you, American Airlines).
1. I'm so very special. I like to have sex with my wife on airplanes, fully nude, in the sight line of all.
2. If you are Staff, you can kindly ask AFTER we are done that you don’t want to see our genitals, we can always cover up, but won't as we only pretend respect.
3. Someone paying Business/First Class, it’s a whole experience, if someone enters a plane and wants to have...
1. I'm so very special. I like to have sex with my wife on airplanes, fully nude, in the sight line of all.
2. If you are Staff, you can kindly ask AFTER we are done that you don’t want to see our genitals, we can always cover up, but won't as we only pretend respect.
3. Someone paying Business/First Class, it’s a whole experience, if someone enters a plane and wants to have sex, you should let them have fun. Essentially, I get to imagine what I'd like in the experience, and you should accommodate. I am an influencer, after all.
He has fewer than 500K followers on IG, so he's not particularly influential. They'll find themselves banned from Qatar if they're not careful. That would be a shame.
I’d bet that the vast majority of his “followers” are fake. He seems like a million other social media poseurs who buys a bunch of bot followers and think they’re celebrities and entrepreneurs.
To me the problem is he was filming with a lucrative motive, i.e., to generate remuneration from posting on social media. That should not be allowed without agreement from and compensation to those being recorded. If the filming was just for his personal use and enjoyment, I think he should be free to do so, just as he is free to record in any other public space. I understand the airline policy doesn’t allow this,...
To me the problem is he was filming with a lucrative motive, i.e., to generate remuneration from posting on social media. That should not be allowed without agreement from and compensation to those being recorded. If the filming was just for his personal use and enjoyment, I think he should be free to do so, just as he is free to record in any other public space. I understand the airline policy doesn’t allow this, but I’m saying I think it should be allowed. With the prevalence of cell phones equipped with cameras these days, if you don’t want to be filmed, don’t go out in public.
You can’t realistically avoid being filmed in public on some random person’s phone. But no-one wants it splashed all over some blog.
100% on the side of Qatar Airways and their staff. Also, the content creator could use a good editor/editing software
Narcissist and attention seeking whore.
You rang?
Right on cue...
Fxuk America, fxuk trump, fxuk the Epstein class and fxuk all instagram and tik tok influencer monkeys
Hey, we’re not all bad
Are you off your meds again?
I happen to agree with you on all of your cited people. Where I disagree with you totally is your love for circumcised goat-fondling peen.
thank you for causing me to spit Chardonnay on that one LOL !
I don’t mind Ben occasionally (key word there) publishing articles about influencers behaving badly. What I do mind is directly linking to their offending post directly in the body of the article. That rewards their bad behavior with engagement. To paraphrase a common saying, “there’s no such thing as bad [engagment]” on social media.
Can I suggest, if you have to provide a proper citation/attribution, use a screenshot instead? If a video is involved,...
I don’t mind Ben occasionally (key word there) publishing articles about influencers behaving badly. What I do mind is directly linking to their offending post directly in the body of the article. That rewards their bad behavior with engagement. To paraphrase a common saying, “there’s no such thing as bad [engagment]” on social media.
Can I suggest, if you have to provide a proper citation/attribution, use a screenshot instead? If a video is involved, as here, then write up a brief summary or transcription of what happens instead of linking directly to it. Don’t know if you have to include a name or username, but I’d prefer you didn’t.
Oh my god, this guy should be banned from qr. Either way he thinks qr suites are worse than shitty seats on the us airlines so he wouldn't come back. I just don't understand these so called influencers and drama queens, including Dan you defended
No disrespect, Ben, but this is kind of emblematic of why people are getting tired of influencer culture. Filming is fine—until it involves other people who’ve clearly said no. At that point, it’s not content, it’s entitlement.
Why is this even a story? Why are you giving this random guy the attention he wants Ben?
Site don’t pay for itself, twat.
He nicely proved why the “I’ll blur you out of it” approach doesn’t work: the crew will have to worry about this random person upholding their word.
I’m guessing FAs working premium cabins on premium airlines are getting filmed constantly. No one wants to go unintentionally viral for doing their job.
Lucky: you mention names of crew when they are great, but not when they fall short. That’s class.
Ben speaking of himself in the third person in this article lol
Just substitute "douchebag" for "influencer" and it will all make sense. This is true about 99.9% of the time.
Qatar is an excellent if not the best carrier on Planet Earth hands down. With that being said flight crew like any human can have a great day and not so great day. FAFO theory suggests you never know what. When this fool goes onto a plane films passengers harasses flight attendants you get what you deserve. A plane is no place for your insignificant job.
Nothing a little lifetime ban won't fix
More content filler that is more appropriate for Gary's View from the Clickbait.
Yep 100% the quality this year vs years past is quite a stark contrast
Credit card applications this year vs years past is quite a stark contrast
Statler and Waldorf have checked in.
Worst amongst these people is Sam Chui. Entitled and insufferable.
Everywhere you go in life there are cameras taking videos of you. Driving down street. ATMs. Banks. Restaurants. Churches. Schools. Police with body cams. People with their phones. It should be no big deal. No one asks permission in any circumstances listed above and thousands of others. People need to get over it. If you are out in public people can film. Sneaking into your home and making a video or taking pics from outside...
Everywhere you go in life there are cameras taking videos of you. Driving down street. ATMs. Banks. Restaurants. Churches. Schools. Police with body cams. People with their phones. It should be no big deal. No one asks permission in any circumstances listed above and thousands of others. People need to get over it. If you are out in public people can film. Sneaking into your home and making a video or taking pics from outside bedroom window is of course wrong and intrusive. You cannot expect privacy in public. Cheers
One can expect privacy on a Qatar Airways flight. Cheers.
So many false equivalences here, @Clown. There's a huge difference between SECURITY cameras in public that are meant to record any crimes, accidents, or other public safety concerns and influencers recording others - especially without their permission - for clicks and profit. It's wild you cannot see the difference...
Those videos aren't uploaded to the internet for someone else to profit from. How can you compare CCTV security footage to some "influencer" creating content?
Airlines are not common carriers. When you buy a ticket you're agreeing to the Conditions of Carriage stipulated therein, which generally make it clear that the instructions given by crew must be followed. Most countries have laws to back this up. If the FA asks you to stop filming; and I'm sure it was done very politely; then you're obliged to stop filming, and yeah, that's just because they say so. Making a fuss might...
Airlines are not common carriers. When you buy a ticket you're agreeing to the Conditions of Carriage stipulated therein, which generally make it clear that the instructions given by crew must be followed. Most countries have laws to back this up. If the FA asks you to stop filming; and I'm sure it was done very politely; then you're obliged to stop filming, and yeah, that's just because they say so. Making a fuss might see you back in the terminal, or being escorted out to a police van.
This guy's grammar is as poor as his manners. And his entitlement is off the charts, despite someone like me never having heard of him.
No wonder he's an "influencer" for a living.
Get a real job!
Ben’s caption also doesn’t make much sense too haha.
Looked at his insta. He follows Trump. All I need to know.
I knew this guy has terrible taste when I saw him liking the safety video because it has Kevin Hart in it.
Lucky - a couple of things here. First and foremost, I know you are very kind, considerate and meticulous when filming, snapping photos, etc. You are definitely not the intrusive type of person. Thank you for that and thank you for being all those things I mentioned. "Influencers" are a totally different breed of people and ones that quite frankly, annoy the living hell out of me. So-called "influencers" need to have their cameras shoved...
Lucky - a couple of things here. First and foremost, I know you are very kind, considerate and meticulous when filming, snapping photos, etc. You are definitely not the intrusive type of person. Thank you for that and thank you for being all those things I mentioned. "Influencers" are a totally different breed of people and ones that quite frankly, annoy the living hell out of me. So-called "influencers" need to have their cameras shoved where the sun doesn't shine and then thrown out the door at 35,000 ft. in the air!!
Content creators will be the reason in future where taking video will be banned or will come with high fees.
Just like TV/Movie productions need commercial license, I think influencers who record video to moneytise on social media should also pay a commercial fees. Until then, they should oblige with existing regulations and respect privacy of crew and other passengers.
Herr Aljoscha Wendholt has serious competition for 2026's 'Most Virulent Airborne Pest'.
And @Miles for the winning comment!
You cank of hin what you want he is definetely no the fastest learner,
I’m surprised they let him keep flying.
This guy’s taken 4 flights in the past two weeks while the ME is in-chaos, and is griping about this? Tone deaf. Wish we weren’t giving any attention to it.
You need to stop publishing things about influenzas.
The guy trying to film is clearly a complete bellend who seems to think its his right to film all flight. No, they dont have to wait til he is done filming and then ask to have their faces removed cos then its already been filmed. What they can do is shut entitled knobs down before they film.
Going to make a broad statement here and I feel that I will have no problem standing by it.
“Influencers” are always wrong. Always idiots. Always entitled petulant children (sorry kids for the comparison) and always just annoying.
People that are influenced by the “influencers” are by definition one step lower on the ladder.
So easy to shut these idiots up. Why would anyone give someone like this moron the time of day ?
I have a term for them: "Bin-fluencer"
Right so Ben is an idiot? I mean many people these days are influencers, just in many different ways. Noel Philips, genuinely nice guy but granted he does sometimes get others in the shots. Still, he’s not an idiot.
But to label all influencers as idiots is a bit extreme no?
Well said.
After I saw his face, it’s kinda making sense of his behavior.
"My wife is the kindest person you'll meet."
Doubt it.
"3 out of 4 flights in 2 weeks..." and he still didn't learn. Braindead idiot.
Our little Josh Cahill
"They are their (sic) for your safety and service. Not for your entertainment." A good point but it wold have been more impactful if the writer had used "there".
You do pick ‘em Ben …. :-)
Filming should be banned inside the aircraft, unless the person recording obtains an explicit approval from every single person (passenger and crew) who might be captured in the video.
And I thought Cahill was going to man up and double down on his a**hole.
Entitled influencers.
David G Travels here - as someone who films onboard flights all the time, I agree with your take here. Not even mentioning the high stress employees for gulf airlines are having to deal with right now.
Something that I often question with these 'influencers' is that are they often deliberately gaslighting?
I mean lets take this case - some one I have never heard of and probably most people reading this article wouldn't have either.
They make money from interaction with their socials - lots of people reading this here (or on other blogs) might be curious and go to the account to view or even comment - playing right into...
Something that I often question with these 'influencers' is that are they often deliberately gaslighting?
I mean lets take this case - some one I have never heard of and probably most people reading this article wouldn't have either.
They make money from interaction with their socials - lots of people reading this here (or on other blogs) might be curious and go to the account to view or even comment - playing right into the hands of the creator.
What's that old saying? There is no such thing as bad publicity.
He must be fun at parties.
He's lucky they didn't hand him over to the police during his Doha transit, because filming someone without permission is a criminal act there.
Its common decency that if someone you are interacting with asks you (reasonably) not to do something, you don't do it. Not just on airplanes.
It’s common respect and no one should be subjected to that - it a NO so follow that request or we will take steps to advance this … oh hi Josh sorry I didn’t see you there