Following a bit of a kerfuffle between an unsatisfied flyer and American Airlines that made its way to social media, American Airlines has reportedly opted to issue a coupon to a woman who was quite literally crammed between two obese passengers on a flight earlier in October.

While the matter is somewhat resolved, the larger issue (pun intended) at hand has sparked a curious debate online over how airlines should assure customers are rendered the accommodations they paid for while also tactfully addressing when rotund passengers’ bodies spill over into other people’s seats.

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Dare I say it is a debate over the fats and the fat-nots?

On October 10th, Sydney Watson, a social and political commentator with a sizeable fanbase across various social media platforms, took to Twitter to share a couple of photos showcasing her then-ongoing flight experience on an American Airlines flight where she was wedged in between two obese passengers for hours.

In Watson’s original post, she tweeted, “I am currently – literally – WEDGED between two OBESE people on my flight. This is absolutely NOT acceptable or okay. If fat people want to be fat, fine. But it is something else entirely when I’m stuck between you, with your arm rolls on my body, for 3 hours.”

Image Credit: Twitter

As seen in the photos shared by Watson during her flight, the passengers on both of her sides are clearly spilling over into her seat, resulting in her literally being subjected to unwanted touching for the entirety of her flight, which she emphasized in a follow-up post with, “I don’t care if this is mean. My entire body is currently being touched against my wishes. I can’t even put the armrests down on either side because there’s no [fucking] room. I’m sick of acting like fatness to this extent is normal. Let me assure you, it is not.”

Image Credit: Twitter

Watson also clarified that she asked the passengers on both of her sides whether they’d like to be seated right next to each other, with Watson adding they were siblings, which would’ve at least afforded the clenched woman respite on one of her sides – but Watson claimed the obese passengers declined the request.

Image Credit: Twitter

According to iFly.com, American Airlines’ policy pertaining to passengers whose bodies protrude beyond the size of a single seat requires flight attendants locate an additional seat on the flight “whenever one is available,” but if no two adjoining seats are empty on the flight, then the overweight passenger “may be required to purchase a second seat and wait for a new flight.”

Clearly, American Airlines did not even adhere to their own policies regarding wide passengers. So when Watson decided to make a follow-up post on October 10th, tagging American Airlines and captioning the tweet with, “we need to talk,” one would reasonably expect for the airline to redress the matter quickly in some way, shape, or form.

But in today’s world, quite the opposite happened, with American Airlines responding to Watson’s complaint on Twitter with, “Our passengers come in all different sizes and shapes. We’re sorry you were uncomfortable on your flight.”

Image Credit: Twitter

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American Airlines began to see some pushback from commenters online who thought the response from the airline was both in poor taste and attempted to diminish a passenger’s complaints about being subjected to unwanted touching for an entire flight.

Responses in support of Watson reasonably highlighted other issues, such as her not getting the entire seat she’d paid for and thus entitled to, as well as why didn’t the airline address the matter on the flight when it was clearly obvious the woman was wedged between two obese passengers.

Image Credit: Twitter
Image Credit: Twitter
Image Credit: Twitter

For a few days after the online dispute between Watson and American Airlines, things began to calm down – that was until the New York Post republished a piece from News.com.au on October 15th that painted Watson as some kind of villain, likening Watson’s legitimate complaint to being “offensive comments” and championed how “American Airlines later clapped back at Watson, telling her the company didn’t discriminate against any body type.”

Obviously, the column that was originally published on the Australian news site and further bullhorned online by the New York Post was written by someone who skews left politically and bolsters social justice talking points.

With the news spreading through the media, this brought an onslaught of commenters to Watson’s Twitter feed, who decided to defend the honor of fat people. The coordinated attack waged by the rotund against Watson was certainly quite the spectacle, as there hadn’t been this large of a mobilization of fat people since The Biggest Loser was on television.

One commenter proclaimed in the wake of the article, “You should be ashamed of yourself acting like this. You should have some class, since you are a [doctor], and I thought they had some standards! Fat shaming, being cruel, and just plain rude. Who are you to judge? Shame on you!”

(For the sake of context, Watson prefaces her Twitter handle with “Dr.” although she isn’t actually one, as she seemingly touts the title as a bit of a joke)

Image Credit: Twitter

Another Twitter user invoked the absurd term “fatphobia” in their response, writing, “You should be utterly ashamed of yourself for fat shaming. [What the hell] is wrong with you? Honestly. So you were inconvenienced for a bit. If it’s such a problem for you and the seemingly privileged life you have, [then] buy first-class tickets or take a private charter. Shame on you.”

Image Credit: Twitter

There was a litany of other outraged comments directed at Watson in the same vein, hurling accusations of being “fatphobic” or “fat shaming” because some people strangely think that it’s okay for people to be subjected to unwanted touching if said unwanted touching is the result of obese people spilling onto another person’s body.

The mental gymnastics are fascinating.

It seemed as though the ordeal was all said and done after a day or two of bickering amongst the fats and the fat-nots on Twitter, but an update came about on October 17th where American Airlines afforded a monetary peace offering to Watson.

Watson shared the email she’d received from American Airlines, with the company offering “a $150 Trip Credit” as a means to rectify her sullied experience aboard one of their planes earlier in the month, as well as a far better apology than what was previously furnished by American Airlines’ social media employee.

“I sincerely regret the enjoyment and comfort of your flight AA was diminished due to another customer exceeding their seat’s space. We do our best to avoid uncomfortable situations regarding seats. I can understand your disappointment with the situation not being remedied to your satisfaction.”

Image Credit: Twitter

Better late than never, and Watson was at least rendered a modicum of customer service after the feud played out online and in the media. Nonetheless, the social and political commentator, who is known for her humorous takes on things, couldn’t resist one last jab on the topic, ending the saga on Twitter with, “I’d rather take the $150 American Airlines offered me as a refund and give it to someone who needs a PT or a gym membership.”

Image Credit: Twitter

This piece was written by Gregory Hoyt on October 18, 2022. It originally appeared on RedVoiceMedia.com and is used with permission.

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