An Aussie woman has received compensation from American Airlines after complaining about being ‘wedged between two obese’ passengers on a three-hour flight.
Sydney Watson, an Australian-American conservative political commentator, shared a photo on social media of her seated between two larger passengers on a plane.
“I am currently – literally – WEDGED between two OBESE people on my flight. This is absolutely NOT acceptable or okay. If fat people want to be fat, fine. But it is something else entirely when I’m stuck between you, with your arm rolls on my body, for 3 hours,” she captioned the photo.
I am currently – literally – WEDGED between two OBESE people on my flight.
This is absolutely NOT acceptable or okay. If fat people want to be fat, fine. But it is something else entirely when I’m stuck between you, with your arm rolls on my body, for 3 hours. pic.twitter.com/9uIqcpJO8I
— Dr. Sydney Watson (@SydneyLWatson) October 10, 2022
The comments section of Sydney’s controversial post quickly lit up, with thousands of people writing messages of both support and criticism.
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“Not all fat people “want” to be fat. Don’t want to be wedged?.. don’t choose a middle seat. Who has the choice here?,” one commenter wrote. Another replied; “I’d have quietly asked to be reseated. The airline should have make those people buy two seats.”
Sydney has confirmed that the US airline contacted her to offer compensation after her tweet about her seating situation went viral.
“I sincerely regret the enjoyment and comfort of your flight AA was diminished due to another customer exceeding their seat’s space.
“We do our best to avoid uncomfortable situations regarding seats. I can understand your disappointment with the situation not being remedied to your satisfaction.
“It seems that our Flight Attendants were not able to make changes to the seating arrangement. I’m sure you know, in the future, you are always welcome to discuss the matter with our flight attendants.
“If we have other available seats, you’ll be allowed to move so that you can better enjoy your flight.
“As a gesture of goodwill, I have issued you a $150 Trip Credit which will arrive via a separate email.”
However, it appears that Sydney wasn’t happy with the airline’s offer to issue her a $150 travel credit.
“I’d rather take the $150 American Airlines offered me as a refund and give it to someone who needs a PT or a gym membership,” she wrote in a separate tweet.
I’d rather take the $150 American Airlines offered me as a refund and give it to someone who needs a PT or a gym membership.
— Dr. Sydney Watson (@SydneyLWatson) October 17, 2022
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