US FAA officials are investigating whether a JetBlue Airways passenger was denied a seat on a transcontinental flight and instead told to spend time in the aircraft bathroom for hours.
"We are investigating because, obviously, a passenger would have to have access to a seat belt for takeoff and landing, or whenever the seat belt sign is illuminated, and as you know, you wouldn't be able to have that in the lavatory," says a FAA spokeswoman.
She says the agency was only just made aware of the situation.
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The case, which has drawn widespread attention, involves passenger Gokhan Mutlu, who claims in a $2 million lawsuit against the carrier that he was allowed to board a full flight from San Diego to New York after a flight attendant agreed to give up the last available passenger seat and travel in an employee jump seat.
About 90min into the flight, Mutlu was allegedly informed that the attendant was not comfortable in the jump seat, and directed to "hang out" in the bathroom, say reports, adding that he was later allowed to return to his original seat.
"We will determine what occurred and take any action if necessary," says the FAA spokeswoman. It is not yet clear if JetBlue will be fined, she adds.
A JetBlue spokesman says the carrier is "currently reviewing the lawsuit" but that it is "company policy that we don't comment on litigation".
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
Source: Flight International
