We were kicked off a flight for being too BIG – air crew told us we should have booked two seats each…it was humiliating

TWO women are seeking compensation after they claim they were kicked off a flight for being too big.

Angel Harding and her pal say they were labelled an "inconvenience" by air crew and felt "hurt" and "humiliated" when told they should have booked two seats each.

Angel was all set up for a trip back to Auckland, New Zealand on Friday, 15, but it quickly became a nightmare when she alleges a female flight attendant was "aggressive" towards her and her friend before take-off.

The crew member allegedly tried to force down the armrest next to Angel in an "aggressive manner".

Angel said: “I was kind of was in shock and I moved forward, and she started yelling to me that the pilot can’t take off unless all the arm rests were down, and she was quite aggressive to me.

"She was speaking to me in an aggressive manner. I just couldn’t believe what was happening to me.”

The busy Air New Zealand flight was due to leave Napier but, according to Angel, the crew made all the passengers aware of a delay.

A hurtful announcement over the plane's loudspeaker, seemingly directed towards the women, said the pilot wasn't going to take off until an "inconvenience" on board was fixed.

The confused pair then say they quickly realised the inconvenience was themselves.

Ms Harding continued telling : "After [the attendant] hung up the phone, she came over and said, 'You two should have booked four seats, you two should have bought two seats each'."

Then everyone was ordered off the plane.

My thoughts are they took me off because of my build, because of my size - our size had a lot to do with it

Angel Hardingpassenger

The two women - who were in wheelchairs due to medical conditions - were then separated from the other passengers and forced to stand with an Air New Zealand worker, they say.

A third wheelchair bound woman who had been sitting separately to Angel was hastily wheeled back onto the flight as it rescheduled for take off.

They then claim they were told that they wouldn't be allowed back on the flight and needed to book new tickets.

All the two women could do was sit and watch as their confusion only increased.

But the next available flight wasn't for another two days and would cost them a pretty penny to book the four seats they claim they had to.

Both women are now looking for compensation after claiming they suffered "hurt, humiliation and trauma" over the incident.

They also feel they were discriminated against because of their larger size.

Angel said: "My thoughts are they took me off because of my build, because of my size - our size had a lot to do with it.

"They didn't say it was, they said it was an inconvenience."

We are committed to treating all customers with respect and dignity and we apologise that these customers received an inconsistent experience

Air New Zealandspokesperson

Air New Zealand did offer an apology to the two ladies.

A spokesperson said: "We are committed to treating all customers with respect and dignity and we apologise that these customers received an inconsistent experience.

"We will continue to work with the customer directly to address their concerns."

Ms Harding said the most puzzling part was how they had flown the outbound journey with no problems whatsoever.

AIR NEW ZEALAND RESPONSE

After telling the flight staff they couldn't afford new tickets and had no where to stay for the next two nights, Angel say she was given an offer.

The woman claims Air New Zealand offered to pay for the next flight free of charge.

As well as any food and accommodation until they boarded and access to the swanky Koru Lounge.

After the uncomfortable situation, Air New Zealand said they "strongly recommend" customers get in touch with them before they fly if they have any concerns or require extra room.

The airline says if a customer ever needs more space onboard a flight staff will work to get them a new seat on the aircraft if at all possible.

Some airlines across the world do have a policy in place to manage larger passengers - both in weight and height.

They try to free up the seats next to the passenger so they are comfortable as are those around them.

New Zealand don't have laws saying any type of passenger is required to book more than one seat on a plane.

And the Australian Human Rights Commission has previously claimed that a person with obesity could claim for unlawful disability discrimination if forced to buy an extra seat.

In Canada, medically declared obese people are allowed to book two seats for the price of one after a Supreme Court ruling in 2008.