There was one solution that the Sheikh could have used and no would have had any problems
He could have switched all the first class seats with economy class passengers sitting in one row. Who the hell will refuse to sit in first class specially when you have paid for the Economy class. I did it once when this guy wanted to sit next to the super hot girl who happened to be sitting next to me. I gladly went to the first class compartment. It is not that I am gay or something, it is just the luxury of first class that matters