Radio presenter Maina Kageni has sparked online conversation after sharing his thoughts on flying economy class while travelling to Johannesburg, South Africa.
In a video posted on his Instagram account on Sunday, January 4, 2026, Kageni was filmed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where he appeared both amused and puzzled by the prospect of sitting in economy class. Joking about the long walk through the aircraft, the veteran broadcaster quipped that economy class felt unusually far from the front of the plane, humorously questioning whether the aircraft even “flies that far back.”
Kageni went on to contrast the experience with the comforts he is accustomed to, openly wondering how passengers cope with long-haul flights without premium amenities. He specifically referenced the absence of champagne, asking rhetorically how economy-class travellers manage such journeys.
His remarks come shortly after a separate incident involving businesswoman and social media personality Cashmeer Sayyid, who was filmed in a heated exchange with Kenya Airways staff at JKIA late last month after being asked to move from a business-class seat to economy.
In the widely circulated video dated Tuesday, December 30, 2025, Cashmeer is heard challenging airline officials, accusing them of selling the same business-class seats to multiple passengers. She maintained that she had booked, paid for, and checked in for her seat well in advance, demanding clarity on who would ultimately occupy the seats in question.
During the exchange, airline staff suggested alternative options, including waiting for a later flight or processing a refund through the booking agent. Cashmeer rejected the proposals, expressing frustration and insisting on an immediate resolution.
She later took to Instagram Stories to further air her grievances, accusing Kenya Airways of downgrading passengers from business class to accommodate flight crew. In her post, she described the experience as disappointing and criticised the airline’s handling of the situation.
Both incidents have reignited public discussion around airline service standards, class distinctions in air travel, and how carriers manage overbooking and seat allocation, particularly on long-haul international routes.
