A right-wing commentator who moaned about being "sandwiched between two obese people" on an American Airlines flight last week has now been given £130 compensation by the airline. Dr Sydney Watson, an Australian-American woman, ranted about the seating arrangement on her three-hour flight on Twitter when she said she was "literally wedged" between the two passengers.
And although American Airlines initially hit back at her cruel comments by insisting their passengers "come in all different shapes and sizes", Watson has now revealed she has been offered $150 (£130) in Trip Credits by the airline which can be used on any flight in the next 12 months.
Watson shared the email she received from the airline on her Twitter account, which read: "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.
"It seems that our Flight Attendants were not able to make changes to the seating arrangement. I'm sure you know, in the future, you are always welcome to discuss the matter with our flight attendants. If we have other available seats, you'll be allowed to move so that you can better enjoy your flight.
"As a gesture of goodwill, I have issued you a $150 Trip Credit which will arrive via a separate email."
Watson did not make it clear whether she would be accepting the compensation offer, but she continued to criticise the passengers she was sat beside in another harsh tweet, in which she said: "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."
The commentator sparked fury online with her initial comments last week when she said it was "absolutely not acceptable" for her to be sat between two 'overweight' travellers.
Watson wrote on Twitter, alongside photos of her seating situation: "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."
At the time, the official Twitter account of American Airlines responded: "Our passengers come in all different shapes and sizes. We're sorry you were uncomfortable on your flight."
Watson was furious about the company's response and continued her rant, writing: "This is really their official reply to me being sandwiched between two obese humans. Holy s**t. So, I'm expected to have only a quarter of a seat when I fly?
"I just experienced getting sweat on, touched without my consent, smacked in the face and subjected to hours of no personal space. And your response is essentially 'too bad'? Is that what I'm getting here?"
The response tagged the airline before she continued to moan to her 317,000 followers about her flight.
She continued in her offensive dialogue: "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 f***ing room.
"I'm sick of acting like fatness to this extent is normal. Let me assure you, it is not. If you need a seat belt extender, you are TOO FAT TO BE ON A PLANE. Buy two seats or don't fly."
One Twitter user responded to American Airlines: "If your passengers come in all different shapes & sizes, why are your seats only wide enough for medium-sized people?'
American Airlines' corporate account responded: "We offer a variety of seat sizes and styles, so our customers can select what works best for them."
The company also provided a link which showed the various classes (economy, business, first) passengers can sit in.
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