Kicked off flight for weight: A Southwest Airlines flight allegedly kicked a man off the plane because he weighed too much, according to reports.
Matthew Harper, who was attempting to fly from Chicago to Denver on Sunday, told KDVR TV that he “felt like a criminal” after an official told him he couldn’t fly, allegedly demanding that he leave the plane.
“I’m 34 years old, and I’ve never been humiliated like this in my life. I mean, when I got back on the plane, only thing I could do was put my head down,” Harper was quoted as saying.
The official asked him if he knew the overweight policies for the airline. The station reported that he weighs around 300 pounds.
“I said yes ma‘am I do, and she said ’I just want to explain what I can and can’t do. I can yank you off this plane right now,’” Harper said.
He was let back on the plane but the flight was delayed for a half-hour. Harper filed a complaint with Southwest and was given $100 in compensation.
“I used to weigh 430 pounds, I’ve lost 100 pounds and when I was 430, I never had this issue,” he added.
On its website, Southwest says that “customers who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s) may proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel in order to ensure the additional seat(s) is available,”
It adds that the policy “it ensures that all Customers onboard have access to safe and comfortable seating.”
Earlier this year, The Guardian reported that Samoa Air will charge people by how much they weigh.
