‘Can I get a window seat?’—on second thought… maybe not.
The window seat of a plane is usually a person’s preferred seat. A bird’s-eye view of the landscape below and the ability to escape from the uneventful journey would have anyone jumping for joy.
Yet for one American Airlines passenger, not even the plane’s jaw-dropping scenery could distract him from the nightmare that was taking place in the next seat.
On June 4, Ashley Smith, an avid American Airlines passenger, boarded a 5:55 p.m. flight out of New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Miami, Fla. He stowed his bags away neatly overhead, as he prepared for what he thought would be a normal flight. Unbeknownst to him, frequent flyer miles were redeemable for the mile-high club as well.
Smith claims that two passengers who were sitting directly next to him were kissing very aggressively and engaging in what he said appeared to be some type of “sexual act.”
Smith recounts the incident as being “strange and uncomfortable” and while he said he tried to ignore it, there were times where it got out of control.
“I thought they were a new, excited couple,” Smith said. “I have no issues with PDA. But it suddenly became over the top…I initially ignored it, but it was a struggle once the girl put her foot on the headrest next to me and his hands slipped between her legs. That was definitely the weirdest part.”
An Instagram post published by Smith yesterday evening details his personal encounter with the couple.
He writes:
“So… I just got off the plane in MIA. In addition to being on board what should be a 3hr flight, for almost 5hrs, I got trapped in the window seat by a couple that were engaging in sexual acts.
I wouldn’t usually object to public displays of affection, but this was over-the-top. I had to endure his hand constantly in between her legs & @ one point her foot was on the headrest beside me. My personal space & my body was encroached upon, repeatedly…WTF!!!???
I tried to talk to @AmericanAir agents about it & each time I was directed to AA.com. The ‘no big deal’ attitude I encountered from @AmericanAir is very surprising, from a legacy airline that I usually swear by. I’m so disgusted, I’ll just rent a car & drive to my final destination. I’m truly disappointed!
Thanks @AmericanAir for not caring about the comfort of your paying passengers, while you host their travel journeys.”
Despite the encounter with the couple, Smith said he was most surprised at the way the situation was handled by American Airlines. When Smith brought the incident to the attention of 2 separate American Airlines workers, he was told to simply visit AA.com with any complaints. No apology, sympathy or care for what he just endured. Smith was so disturbed by the incident and the airline’s failure to properly tend to his concerns, that he bypassed his connecting flight and instead decided to find himself to his final destination, rather than board a flight with American Airlines again that evening.
Justin Franco, an American Airlines communications representative, said in an email responding to the incident that “We always want our customers to feel comfortable on the aircraft,” Franco said. “If they do not feel comfortable, for any reason, they should alert a flight attendant. In this instance, we will reach out to the customer through our customer relations team to make sure we address anything we have missed.”
Smith said he has yet to hear from American Airlines.
This story is developing, as we are awaiting further comment from American Airlines. Check back for updated coverage.
