Italian sues airline after 9-hour flight next to fat man

An Italian is suing Emirates after spending a 9-hour flight crushed by an overweight passenger in the seat next to him.

Onboard selfie, via Twitter

Giorgio Destro, from Padua in northern Italy, says he suffered for nine hours on a flight from Cape Town to Dubai. After settling into his seat, 29K, by the window, Destro was surprised when a considerably overweight man took the adjacent seat.

Fully-booked flight

A few hours into the journey, which took place in July 2016, he asked to change seats but was told that this was impossible as the flight was fully booked, local paper Mattino Padova reported (link in Italian).

He shared a photograph of himself and his travel companion as evidence of his discomfort (see above).

Destro, who used to work for the Italian Consulate in South Africa, is a long term customer and 'gold member' of the airline, but even after the flight he says Emirates refused to offer an apology or any form of compensation.

Court hearing

He is asking for €2,759 in compensation; €759 as a refund for the flight which he wasn't able to enjoy, and a further €2,000 in damages.

The hearing is scheduled for 20 October 2016 in Padua.

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Further details: thelocal.it/120565
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