Jetstar has apologized for a joke that many customers called ‘racist’.
The airline mocked Vietnam’s currency in a Facebook post, saying: “Sorry, but Vietnamese money called Dong is objectively funny.”
“And one million Dong is $65 and I actually have $65, which means I’m a millionaire,” it wrote.
After a fierce reaction from the 782,000 followers, the message was deleted.
Jetstar was forced to apologize for a joke that many customers called ‘racist’
‘No more Vietnamese will fly with Jetstar. Racial hatred,” one person posted.
“I will never choose Jetstar until they make an official apology to the Vietnamese people,” declared another.
A third comment read: “A tone-deaf joke. Just a reminder: racial hatred is illegal in Australia. Just because you delete the message doesn’t mean it’s okay.”
One commenter denounced the joke for being “unprofessional, disrespectful and unacceptable.”
“Make sure you understand cultural respect and sensitivity before making culturally disrespectful jokes on such a formal aviation page.”
One flyer shared a personal apology message she received after contacting the airline via its official Facebook page (pictured)
Huy Bui, the boss of language education company PTE Master, says he will no longer fly with the budget airline.
“I have flown with Jetstar 30 to 40 times over the past five years, but I am boycotting your airline until a formal apology is given.
“If you can’t distinguish whether a joke is humorous or silly, you’re not equipped to run an airline.”
Jetstar has now responded to the angry comments on their page.
“You’re absolutely right, which is why we deleted the post. We are truly sorry for the offense caused,” read one response.
The airline has since responded to some angry comments on their page and apologized for any wrongdoing
Another apology added: “We agree that the post was inappropriate and was therefore removed earlier today.”
One flyer shared a personal apology message she received after contacting the airline via its official Facebook page.
‘We agree that the message was inappropriate and therefore it has been removed. We are truly sorry for the offense we committed,” the Jetstar spokesperson wrote.
“Please be assured that this incident was in no way related to Vietnamese nationality or race.”
“You have my absolute assurance that Jetstar will not tolerate discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, race or other unlawful grounds.”