In a pinned tweet, Austrian Airlines announced it would stop posting on X (formerly called Twitter), blaming the “increasing spread of hate, agitation, and disinformation” in the Elon Musk era.
Austrian Airlines Will No Longer Post on X (Twitter), Citing Disinformation
Vienna-based Austrian Airlines claims it has posted for the last time on Twitter after adding a pithy image of a flight attendant with the captain, “We took a moment to locate our nearest X-it.”
Dear guests, you can stay connected with us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook & LinkedIn. Feel free to reach out anytime via our Austrian App or at https://t.co/YLEBDoRZ3z. pic.twitter.com/nzurTdxHOb
— Austrian Airlines (@_austrian) October 31, 2024
A spokesperson for Austrian confirmed the news and offered a precise reason for the departure, telling PYOK:
“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. 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.”
Customers can also reach Austrian via its mobile app. The explanation is a not-so-subtle jab at X owner Elon Musk, who has approached the social media platform very differently than his predecessors.
Austrian, part of the Lufthansa Group, appears to be acting alone at this point. Other members of the group, including Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, EuroWings, and SWISS appear to be maintaining their accounts…at least for now.
Air France and KLM also stopped offering support on Twitter after Musk’s takeover of the site, but that had more to do with Musk’s attempts to monetize such interactions rather than concern over how Twitter regulated content. Both carriers continue to post on Twitter.
Was Austrian Airlines reasonable in making this move?
image: Austrian Airlines
Austria…the birthplace of Adolph Hitler.
Nope, no irony at all.
Actually , I don’t think that a mere birthplace means anything … a birthplace is due to chance .
Austria has seemed to me far more relaxed and tolerant than Leftist Authoritarians .
I think the irony behind leaving X is because they fear Trump’s common-sense appeal with those opposed to Leftist Authoritarian thinking , and so resort to made-up accusations against any Trump supporter , like Musk .
The Alphabet Mafia Flag in their profile means that whoever is managing their social media presence is a Leftist.
Having said that…I do agree that they fear a change to the status quo and that includes the diminished influence of mainstream news outlets.
It’s now 60 Minutes et al versus Joe Rogan/Shawn Ryan/et al.
Which interview do you trust more…the three hour, limited editing, Rogan interview or the 20 minute, HIGHLY edited, 60 Minutes interview?
@JH … Actually neither of them . I don’t own a television and don’t know what a podcast may be .
I read a variety of news papers : Spectator UK , Daily Telegraph , Wall Street Journal , Honolulu Star-Advertiser , and New York Post , Times of Israel , and Jerusalem Post . All have interesting information or opinions .
They didn’t even mention Trump, and yet you are bringing him into this conversation.
Why not delete the X account?
How odd that Austrain will keep their tiktok, a platform beholden to the CCP by law, and Facebook, a company that admittedly spread disinformation in the last election and admittedly during covid. Maybe they should stick to LinkedIn only, if that’s their position.
Because they need to continue to fly the universal flag of mental illness.
What a ridiculous comment.
I’m beyond appalled with the amount of leeway that Western institutions continue to give to Xi’s PRC. We’re talking about a country that’s operating concentration camps, yet not only is nobody calling for any sanctions against it, but most people and organisations seem to be content buying stuff from it and collaborating through projects like Confucius Institutes.
It’s particularly annoying when the same people who seem at ease with all that are wagging the finger at voters and lecturing them about how Western democracy is in danger and being threatened by the far right (however that’s defined). Perhaps they just prefer one kind of fascism over another.
The PRC has been vile since it’s inception , and their bosses have all been nuts .
The real reason behind this decision is that Twitter/X offered a public forum in which to adjudicate and resolve customer disputes in an easy and customer-friendly manner. In closing a customer relations account, Austrian saves money two ways – no need to hire social media personnel and no need pay to resolve easy disputes, as it is of course a much bigger hurdle to wait on hold for hours than to fire off an X/Twitter DM and respond back and forth at one’s leisure – and they get to wrap it in this dumb woke language. Austrian is just being cheap while pretending to care about incivility or whatever.
This is no different than the previous Rick Steeves article (or as someone else pointed out, your views RE: Israel). There is no blurred line between Musk and Trumpism. He’s giving him millions, appearing on stage with Trump, and vying to be in his cabinet. Twitter is his own personal website, and if Austrian doesn’t want to be associated with Musk and his views, it seems reasonable for them to simply not post anymore. Sort of like choosing to not buy Mr. Steeves’ next travel guide.
While Musk is no doubt a megalomaniac, I think his support for Trump has more to do with how much tax he intends to pay and how he wishes to have his businesses regulated, than it does with any of the social issues that seem to fire up most Trump voters.
Will Austrian Airlines also be leaving the internet because of all the hate? Or Email? Or Texts? Or Phone calls?
Crazy reason…
I always flew Lauda Air instead. They were a much better airline.
Lol the pervert flag
Comments like this are why nobody believes you are gay.