Darren Beales says Qantas hostie fat-shamed him on Melbourne-Brisbane flight

A Qantas passenger has spoken out about a disaster flight last week, claiming the airline “fat-shamed” him after crew forced him out of his seat on a flight from Melbourne to Brisbane.

A Qantas passenger has spoken out about a disaster flight last week, claiming the airline “fat-shamed” him after crew forced him out of his seat.

Norlane man Darren Beales said he had specially booked a seat in the emergency exit row on a flight from Tullamarine to Brisbane on Friday for extra leg room, but was told by the flight attendant on-board he could not sit there due to “air regulations”.

When he questioned the regulations, he said the flight attendant responded rudely, stating he should consider purchasing two seats in future.

“She told me I was required to move due to ‘air regulations’ — but then she turned around and said: ‘next time you can pay for a second seat for half price’,” he said.

“I can fit into the seat fine — I didn’t need a second seat.

“It was fat-shaming … she was rude.”

Mr Beales said he felt “bullied” by the flight attendant, who asked him to move into an ordinary aisle seat and suggested a two-seat option.

Norlane man Darren Beales says Qantas fat-shamed him on a flight. Picture: Peter Ristevski

“All that was on my mind was how they belittled me,” he said.

“It made me depressed about the whole situation.

“I was ready to get off the plane.”

According to Qantas, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) provided guidance to airlines on the criteria for appropriate passengers to be seated in exit rows.

Mr Beales says he will never fly Qantas again. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Customers seated in an exit row may be called upon to assist crew members in the event of an emergency.

“If passengers are unable to meet this criteria airlines including Qantas will ask passengers to change seats,” the statement read.

The Qantas website states passengers who require an “extension belt” were not permitted to sit in the exit row.

But Mr Beales said his need for an extension belt due to the size of his waist did not impact his ability to assist in emergencies.

Mr Beales booked an emergency exit seat for the extra leg room. Picture: Peter Ristevski

The passenger said he would be capable of assisting in an emergency as per the airline’s criteria of being ‘physically able to reach, open, lift and throw out an emergency exit up to twenty (20) kgs’.

“Were they thinking if I was too big, I wouldn’t be able to give support or help out?

“This was discrimination.”

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Other airlines such as Tigerair, Jetstar and Virgin Australia also do not allow overweight passengers who need an extension belt to sit in the exit row.

Mr Beales said he reported the incident to Qantas’ customer service team and is yet to receive a response.

He has vowed to never fly with the airline again.

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Originally published as Darren Beales says Qantas hostie fat-shamed him on Melbourne-Brisbane flight