AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes recently ignited a controversy on social media after making disparaging remarks regarding the in-flight dining experience provided by Singapore Airlines (SIA). Fernandes suggested that the food served by the rival carrier was inferior to the meals offered on his own budget airline.

The comments, which were intended to highlight the quality of AirAsia’s catering, instead resulted in a significant backlash from the public. Many social media users took to various platforms to defend Singapore Airlines, which is widely recognized for its premium service standards. The incident has been characterized as a public relations misstep, with observers noting that the attempt to promote his own brand by criticizing a competitor backfired, leading to negative sentiment directed toward Fernandes rather than the intended comparison.

While the SCMP report frames the incident as a notable social media event, it does not provide specific quotes from the backlash or details regarding how Singapore Airlines responded, if at all. The incident highlights the risks associated with airline executives using personal social media accounts to engage in public comparisons with competitors, particularly when those competitors hold a strong reputation for customer service.