A young British traveller has sparked a fierce debate after suggesting airlines should check larger passengers 'like hand luggage' before they board, following a deeply uncomfortable long-haul flight where she claims she was used as 'an armrest'.
The Uncomfortable Journey from Bangkok to London
Roksana Ashcroft, a 22-year-old from Nottingham, was returning from a month-long holiday on January 3rd. Her journey home on an Air Astana flight, via Kazakhstan, turned into an ordeal she says left her in physical pain. Roksana found herself in a middle seat, with a larger woman occupying the aisle seat beside her.
She alleges the situation deteriorated quickly. "She instantly lent her arm in front of mine, so it was like I was being pinned back by her arm," Roksana explained. The passenger reportedly used Roksana's hip and leg as a personal armrest for the duration of the flight.
A Plea for Help and a Call for Change
The tension reached a peak seven hours into the nine-hour flight. Needing to use the toilet and in significant discomfort, Roksana politely asked the woman to let her out. According to Roksana, the request was refused. After waiting 15 minutes, she pressed the call button for assistance.
"The flight attendant was very helpful and didn’t take her ‘I’m too tired to stand up’ as an answer," Roksana stated. Despite the crew's intervention, the overall experience was marred. She spent the flight leaning towards her boyfriend to create space, and was left with a sore hip and leg.
This incident has led Roksana to a controversial conclusion. "I believe airlines should either make seats bigger and accommodate plus-sized people, or they should bring in some sort of check-in method," she proposed. She compared the idea to baggage checks, suggesting it could prevent passengers from encroaching on others' space.
A Divided Public Reaction
Roksana shared a video of her experience online, documenting the journey as she often does for vlogs. The reaction was intensely polarised. While many commenters shared similar stories of flight discomfort and agreed with her stance, others strongly criticised her approach.
Key points from the debate include:
- Support for Roksana: Many agreed, sharing their own experiences and suggesting petitions for larger passengers to book two seats.
- Criticism of Filming: A significant number slammed her for recording the fellow passenger without consent, with one person stating, "Can we please start a petition to stop filming people without them knowing."
- Personal Responsibility: Some argued bigger passengers should proactively book extra space. One comment read, "I am a big lady and I always pay for two seats. It saves so many problems."
- Alternative Solutions: Suggestions ranged from charging by total passenger weight to designing aeroplane seats with size limits, similar to amusement park rides.
Reflecting on the backlash, Roksana said, "I obviously disagree with that after paying for a seat that I fit into perfectly fine." She believes the uncomfortable topic needs more discussion to find solutions.
Airline Response and Available Options
When contacted about the incident, Air Astana provided a statement to the press. "The airline regrets the impressions experienced by the passenger," a spokesperson said. "Air Astana adheres to the principles of respectful and equal treatment of all passengers, and does not tolerate discrimination based on individual characteristics."
The airline also highlighted that it operates in strict compliance with aviation safety rules and noted that passengers seeking more personal space have access to alternative seating options offering enhanced comfort, such as booking an entire row.
The controversy underscores the ongoing and often uncomfortable clash between passenger rights, personal responsibility, and airline policies in an era of tightly packed cabins.
