A woman has been given a life ban from all British Airways flights after a bizarre row at 30,000ft, writes Stephen Hayward in Sunday People .
Bridget Nhire, 33, ended up in handcuffs and strapped to her seat after another customer complained she kept getting up to stretch her legs.
The 5ft 3in stylist says the incident, on a Heathrow to Dubai flight, left her “humiliated” and in tears, with police escorting her from the plane before
freeing her without charge five hours later.
freeing her without charge five hours later.
She was flying to visit pals when a man sitting behind complained. She said: “He was
telling me to sit down and I said ‘I have the right to get up and walk around for my health’. That escalated into a minor argument.
telling me to sit down and I said ‘I have the right to get up and walk around for my health’. That escalated into a minor argument.
“Then the crew asked me to move to the front. They said ‘you are being aggressive , we feel you may have had a little too much to drink’.
"I had a drink but was not drunk. I had two glasses of wine with my meal. They strapped me to the seat and put me in plastic cuffs. I have bruises.”
BA said it had launched a full probe, gathering statements from passengers and crew, before taking the “rare” step to ban her.
But Ms Nhire – a style consultant for fashion brand Reiss – claims BA over-
reacted and wants £350 compensation after the airline refused to fly her home when she turned up for her return flight earlier this month, leaving her stuck at Dubai International.
reacted and wants £350 compensation after the airline refused to fly her home when she turned up for her return flight earlier this month, leaving her stuck at Dubai International.
Her mum booked an alternative flight 11 hours later.
Ms Nhire, of Uxbridge, Middlesex, said: “Nobody listened to my side. You cannot leave people stranded at foreign airports. Someone has messed up. BA should be held accountable.”
BA does not comment on individuals, but says lifetime bans can be appealed.
A spokeswoman said: “Our customers and crew deserve to enjoy their flights, and not suffer disruption.
“We would never issue a lifetime ban without first carrying out a thorough investigation.”
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