OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - A passenger has filed a lawsuit against Canadian budget airline Sunwing Airlines for serving him cheap sparkling wine instead of champagne on board a flight, according to media reports.
The Canadian passenger, Daniel MacDuff, reportedly boarded his Sunwing flight to Cuba in February, on a flight package that advertised a complimentary on-board champagne toast. Instead, he was served only sparkling wine in a plastic cup.
MacDuff has accused Sunwing of misleading market practices in violation of the Quebec Consumer Protection Act after the airline had promoted a 'Champagne service.'
He is said to be seeking punitive damages for the alleged wrongful practice, as well as compensation for the price difference between the cheaper sparkling wine and Champagne.
However, Sunwing reportedly said that the use of 'champagne service' and 'champagne vacations,' in their advertising was meant to describe the level of service of the travel package, rather than the type of in-flight drinks served.
Sunwing said it believed the lawsuit to be 'frivolous and without merit.' The court will decide at a hearing in March whether the lawsuit can proceed.
However, Sunwing has changed its online advertising. Its website now specifies that passengers will receive a 'complimentary glass of sparkling wine' on flights.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX