Passenger sues British Airways for being seated next to obese passenger, claims he was injured

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 5 years ago

Passenger sues British Airways for being seated next to obese passenger, claims he was injured

Updated
British Airways is being sued by a passenger who claims he was injured after having to sit next to an obese man on a long-haul flight.

British Airways is being sued by a passenger who claims he was injured after having to sit next to an obese man on a long-haul flight.Credit: Alamy

A civil engineer is suing British Airways for damages of up to £10,000 ($A17,547) after he sat next to a passenger so "obese" it left him "pinned to the side of the cabin".

Stephen Prosser, 51, claims he suffered soft tissue damage after a traveller "wedged" himself into the seat next to him on a flight from Bangkok to London Heathrow on January 10 in 2016.

Mr Prosser, of Tonypandy, South Wales, claims that the obese passenger, who he described as 6ft 5 inches (195cm) and 23 stone (146 kg), was "so large" that his body fat "spilled" into his seat by several inches.

His lawyers say the engineer was "forced to adjust his body and sit in an awkward and uncomfortable position" for the whole 12 hour and 40 minute flight.

Mr Prosser said he was left suffering symptoms from his injuries for the following three months - and is now seeking damages.

But British Airways deny the claims - stating Mr Prosser "did not not display any signs of injury" when leaving the flight.

Mr Prosser, who is 158 cm tall and weighs 63kg, said: "Just as the plane door was about to close, this 6-foot 5-inch elk, weighing about 23-stone got on-board and sat between myself and another passenger who had the aisle seat.

"He was a huge bloke, not just overweight but really big boned as well. He was a real lump.

"I felt discomfort as soon as he sat down because I was pinned against the side of the cabin.

Advertisement

"I asked whether they could move him or move me but it was a full flight and they decided not to move me to a crew member's seat because I'd have to keep on getting up to allow them to get to the galley.

"They said there wasn't anything they could do so I said I wanted to make a formal complaint which I did with the on-board customer services rep.

"I had no choice but to go back to my seat and the discomfort at being squashed up against the cabin soon turned to agony."

He is claiming between £5000 and £10,000 as general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity.

Before the hearing, a spokesman for BA said: "As the case is subject to ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate for us to comment."

Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading