Woman dies in Hungary after being kicked off planes because of her weight

[FrugalFlyerv2.0]

Story link: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/11/27/woman-dies-in-hungary-after-being-kicked-off-planes-because-of-her-weight

A 407-pound American woman in need of kidney treatment died in Hungary after being denied boarding on three flights because of her weight. Now her husband says he plans to sue.

The couple flew from New York to Budapest by way of Amsterdam on KLM Royal Dutch. They called ahead to make arrangements. She booked an extra seat, was airlifted onto the plane, and fastened with a seatbelt extender.

But when she tried to catch her flight back on Oct. 15, the captain asked her to leave the plane because she couldn't be secured properly in her seat.

The airport spent five hours trying to make alternative arrangements for the couple, then told them to drive to Prague to catch a "bigger plane" with Delta Airlines, the lawyer said.
But Delta had no airlift to get her aboard.

The couple returned to Hungary for a few days, then tried to fly home via Lufthansa. But the captain again forced her to disembark because she couldn't fasten her seatbelt.

Two days later, she died.

 

[WorldTraveler]

since the refusal to transport happened on both KLM AND LH, perhaps she should just sue the whole industry and start with Europe where laws are a whole lot different than in the US.

Or maybe her family might come to the realization that passenger aircraft are designed for normal-sized humans; people who are significantly beyond normal (more than double the average human weight) cannot be safely transported on a standard passenger aircraft which is why she was denied transport multiple times.

Sad story but she should have never been allowed to board in the US in the first place... and perhaps it says that DL as a US carrier was actually better equipped to handle overweight passengers than the European airlines.

 

[eolesen]

It also says something of the European healthcare model. You'd think they would have been able to handle something as simple as dialysis.

And at the risk of being in extremely poor taste... am I the only one who sees the irony in someone morbidly obese having a vacation home in Hungary?...

 

[Kev3188]

Ha!

 

[WorldTraveler]

It also says something of the European healthcare model. You'd think they would have been able to handle something as simple as dialysis.

And at the risk of being in extremely poor taste... am I the only one who sees the irony in someone morbidly obese having a vacation home in Hungary?...

Did she even attempt to find treatment in Europe or have US insurance that provided global coverage? Most private policies in the US do allow for emergency treatment overseas; insurance or public health care in many parts of the world do not provide such coverage. If she didn't have that type of coverage, was she not gambling by traveling in the first place?

it also reinforces that aviation law has long recognized that airlines are not responsible for consequential damages for failing to deliver transportation services.
They are only responsible for either delivering those services or not - and European law provides significant penalties for failing to deliver air services.
But no court will find an airline responsible for the woman's death because she couldn't board a plane to get to medical treatment.

 

[Royal Ambassador]

From the Daily Mail article:

 

[signals]

since the refusal to transport happened on both KLM AND LH, perhaps she should just sue the whole industry and start with Europe where laws are a whole lot different than in the US.

Or maybe her family might come to the realization that passenger aircraft are designed for normal-sized humans; people who are significantly beyond normal (more than double the average human weight) cannot be safely transported on a standard passenger aircraft which is why she was denied transport multiple times.

Sad story but she should have never been allowed to board in the US in the first place... and perhaps it says that DL as a US carrier was actually better equipped to handle overweight passengers than the European airlines.

Well said.

In Europe there are no lawsuit lawyers, as far as I knew.

Being allowed in the first place is the key factor. When I've flown to Europe, the trip goes smoother going than coming. Coming back you almost double your time going. How can I ask this without offending? Could the extra weight back take a toll on the fuel?

 

[signals]

It also says something of the European healthcare model. You'd think they would have been able to handle something as simple as dialysis.

And at the risk of being in extremely poor taste... am I the only one who sees the irony in someone morbidly obese having a vacation home in Hungary?...

Europe healthcare is rather different in that, well, you better know if you're covered before you travel. If not you will be sent to a, to say the least, a third world free clinic type care provider.

Basically...you're doomed!

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

<Snip>and perhaps it says that DL as a US carrier was actually better equipped to handle overweight passengers...<snip>

But of course.

Delta superiority reigns supreme...yet again.

WT in his younger days.

Hey WT, can you share some more recent photos of your Delta "glory room"? :blush:

 

[WorldTraveler]

would it make you feel better to have read that ANY US carrier would have done a better job of handling handicap issues? You conveniently missed the "AS A US CARRIER".

We are talking about a DL passenger.

A little focus on what is written instead of what you would like to have been said so you could throw dirt would go a long way....

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

Thanks. I knew you would not let me down.

 

[Kev3188]

But of course.

Delta superiority reigns supreme...yet again.

Delta uber alles.

 

[WorldTraveler]

Delta uber alles.

whether they are or not doesn't change the fact that this topic is about a grossly overweight passenger who happened to fly to Europe, boarding on a DL flight, connecting in AMS, and then unable to return due to the lack of equipment/resources at several European airports on several airlines, including Delta at PRG.

I never said that DL was superior to any other carrier but simply stated that AS A US CARRIER DL apparently had the resources to have accommodated the women when she boarded in the US.

The fact that DL in PRG did not have the resources necessary to board her says the issue is about Europe vs the US and care of handicap, not about DL vs other carriers.

Focusing on what is said and not what one wanted someone to say in order to make a personal commentary will do wonders at keeping the discussion on track instead of denigrating into personal attacks which have nothing to do with the topic at hand.

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

Come on WT. The picture is a fitting tribute to you. I think it would make a fine avatar.

 

[Kev3188]

Focusing on what is said...

...Which is exactly what GQ did...