Refund after 'horror' flight next to obese woman

[jakeseven7]

AN airline has given a woman a full flight refund and promised to overhaul staff training after she was forced to sit next to an overweight passenger who spilled into half of her seat.



Janet Ogilvie said she was faced with the awkward situation on a Porter Airlines flight from Halifax, Canada to Ottawa on September 5 this year.


Ms Ogilvie said she went to her seat to find an obese woman, who was assigned to a window seat, spilling over into half of her aisle seat, the Ottawa Citizen reports.

Refund after 'horror' flight next to obese woman | News.com.au




This is pretty much my worst nightmare. On a few DJ flights I've had some very large people next to me and I've effectively been trapped in my seat touching them..... though not as bad as this.
http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/...an/story-e6frfq80-1225944136833#ixzz13jeZimnT​

 

[samh004]

As bad as it sounds even from the title, I think this is perfectly acceptable (to get a refund, if not more).

I see the comments from Virgin Blue, but no offence to anyone that big here (and I certainly haven’t met anyone that big at the gatherings) but if you know you wont fit into a single seat, and don’t purchase a second seat, the airline should force you to buy an extra seat… unless of course they have a free seat.

I guess it does come down to the T&C’s though, does it say anywhere in the T&C’s what weight, width, height is acceptable? If not then I can see how it would be the airlines responsibility, but if the flight is full, I think priority should go to the person that can fit in the seat, not the other way around.

 

[anat0l]

As an aside, Porter Airlines operate only Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Those who have flown in one before know them seats ain't big.

 

[pauly7]

As an aside, Porter Airlines operate only Dash 8 Q400 aircraft. Those who have flown in one before know them seats ain't big.

Doesn't matter to me if they only operate a380 aircraft

If you are fat enough to discomfort other passengers you should be forced to purchase two seats.

 

[harvyk]

actually pauly7, a dash 8 is very small and cramped...

It's likely the o'weight person could actually fit into a normal airline seat but not into a dash 8 seat, thus it plausible that the person had no idea they would "overflow" onto another seat.

As they are so small the fuselage curvature really cuts into the space which a person in the window seat would normally have, especially compared to an A380.

 

[pauly7]

actually pauly7, a dash 8 is very small and cramped...

It's likely the o'weight person could actually fit into a normal airline seat but not into a dash 8 seat, thus it plausible that the person had no idea they would "overflow" onto another seat.

As they are so small the fuselage curvature really cuts into the space which a person in the window seat would normally have, especially compared to an A380.

Really?! I thought the dash 8 was the next biggest aircraft after the a380 lol

I doubt very much that they could fit into a seat on a larger aircraft given the description given of how big they were but we will never know so not worth arguing!

If the airline was all dash 8 then really the obese passenger should have really known....but sometimes pax have no idea so the airline should really have stopped them at check in or at the gate...

 

[jakeseven7]

As bad as it sounds even from the title, I think this is perfectly acceptable (to get a refund, if not more).

I see the comments from Virgin Blue, but no offence to anyone that big here (and I certainly haven’t met anyone that big at the gatherings) but if you know you wont fit into a single seat, and don’t purchase a second seat, the airline should force you to buy an extra seat… unless of course they have a free seat.

I guess it does come down to the T&C’s though, does it say anywhere in the T&C’s what weight, width, height is acceptable? If not then I can see how it would be the airlines responsibility, but if the flight is full, I think priority should go to the person that can fit in the seat, not the other way around.

I have actually seen DJ check in staff deal with an obese passenger at check in. I must say they did it pretty well, I mean as well as you could expect in a difficult situation. Not to be generalistic / mean but the demographic that fly DJ IMHO would mean they probably get more of these situations than QF......

But anyway basically the staff member checking the person in asked them to wait for a moment as they had to check something with their supervisor. They called the supervisor and the obese person was taken to the side (so as not to embarrass them I'm guessing) and I overheard bits and pieces of the conversation - was all around passenger comfort, safety etc and the flight they were booked on was full. The obese person got a bit red and flustered, but to be honest I think they were a bit hot from walking up through the terminal anyway so didn't seem too distressed. As I finished I saw them being rebooked onto another flight.... unsure if they were forced to pay etc though.

Thought this was a pretty decent approach - taking them away from normal check in.

 

[Egg]

if you know you wont fit into a single seat, and don’t purchase a second seat, the airline should force you to buy an extra seat… unless of course they have a free seat.

If the airline has available a second seat for purchase, then they will necessarily have a free seat.

I think the apparent position in Australia seems pretty fair. If you're large and want to guarantee you'll be on a certain flight, then buy 2 seats, but if you can't afford that, be prepared to wait for a plane with an empty seat. That seems fairer than forcing people to purchase another ticket in circumstances where they may not be able to afford it...

Or else only sit them next to extremely skinny people who only take up half a seat!

 

[munitalP]

The largest people I have ever seen flying have been on QF and in J

I don't believe the "demographic" of DJ is a fair comment (OMG!!! I'm defending DJ!! Crazy Dave take note!)

It is the duty of care of any airline to ensure the safety of all PAX. Any of us can request a seat change as to overcrowding being a safety issue, especially if the PAX in question could hinder your escape in an emergency. It's sad however, this OHS rule is seldom applied, for example handicapped PAX seated in aisle seating where in an emergency, if they fall into the aisle, they are unable to clear themselves.

munitalP

 

[MissBurrill]

Or else only sit them next to extremely skinny people who only take up half a seat!

:shock::shock::shock:

Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!! I pay for my seat and I want my seat even if I am too skinny to fill my seat.

 

[markis10]

I once had a flight to Sydney in a 743 where I was at an angle of 45 degrees to the vertical for the whole trip thanks to the obese person in the aisle, and I am not small and neither was my wife at the time. I wonder why airlines cannot try and block a seat for such people to give them and others a break, its not often you have a 100% full flight?

 

[pauly7]

I once had a flight to Sydney in a 743 where I was at an angle of 45 degrees to the vertical for the whole trip thanks to the obese person in the aisle, and I am not small and neither was my wife at the time. I wonder why airlines cannot try and block a seat for such people to give them and others a break, its not often you have a 100% full flight?

I think in that situation I would have got up and asked to be moved myself....! Was it a long flight?

 

[markis10]

I think in that situation I would have got up and asked to be moved myself....! Was it a long flight?

It was a 60 minute flight to SYD so not a big deal, we were in the same aircraft in J for the flight to SIN, just was not a great start.

 

[zzyss]

Gees, that makes me wonder whether I should've pursued a refund for a flight several years ago (my honeymoon), where I was sat next to somebody who was quite obviously drunk, who threw up just before takeoff, and who kept leaning on me throughout the entire flight (he wasn't obese, but he wasn't a small bloke either).

The Emirates staff were terrible, swearing and cursing, and refused to move us (or him). They had no choice but to move the poor girl sitting behind him though, 'coz the takeoff caused the barf to drip all into her area.

It was just one complete, epic fail. Letting him onto the plane inebriated, unprofessional and unsympathetic cabin crew, and terrible customer service. That was my horror flight, and because of it I'm never flying Emirates again if it can be helped.

 

[Princess Fiona]

If you can't fit in one whY seat you should purchase two IMHO ( or else be accompanied by willing v skinny travelling companion). I would have a quiet word in the CSM ear if seated next to someone who needed part of my seat due to their body habitus.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Comedian Lavelle Crawford has some interesting points to raise on that subject during one of his comedy appearances from 1:00 to 3:05mins:

YouTube - Lavell Crawford - Laffapalooza 1

 

[trippin_the_rift]

If the airline has available a second seat for purchase, then they will necessarily have a free seat.

Who needs to be top-tier to get a free seat when all you need to do is whack on a few KG's.. ;-)

 

[extracta]

If you want discounted airfares and want to pay to fly cattle class then don't be surprised when you are cramped in on the odd occasion.

Not nice I know but cheap airfares can come at a price.

 

[drron]

Its not always the POS that annoys you.Last Dash8 flight to MEL i had a young,small woman next to me but she was of the opinion that the armrest was hers with her elbow projecting into my space-and I do take up my space(though dont go past it!).as soon as she turned to look out the window the arm rest was mine1

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Its not always the POS that annoys you.Last Dash8 flight to MEL i had a young,small woman next to me but she was of the opinion that the armrest was hers with her elbow projecting into my space-and I do take up my space(though dont go past it!).as soon as she turned to look out the window the arm rest was mine1

do you think it's the once a year travellers who decide to play armrest wars?