British Airways Flight Attendant Accused of Inappropriate Conduct

A mother from the United States has accused a British Airways flight attendant of inappropriate conduct during an overnight flight, resulting in feelings of violation while she was nursing her seven-month-old daughter. Shayanne Wright, a city commissioner from Costa Mesa, California, reported that the incident occurred when she was feeding her child.

While preparing to nurse her baby, Wright had requested that her meal be served later, anticipating that she would be busy feeding her daughter. Despite this request, she claims that a male flight attendant rudely interrupted her meal time, tapping her leg to prompt her to eat. This interaction escalated when the attendant allegedly lifted her nursing blanket without permission, exposing her breasts in front of other passengers.

“I stuck my hand out to wave him away. Then, without asking, he lifts the nursing cover up completely,” Wright recounted. This action startled her infant, waking her from her feeding. Wright expressed her distress, stating, “There was just a very hostile, physically invasive vibe.”

Following the incident, Wright filed a sexual harassment complaint with British Airways. The airline has acknowledged that they are investigating the allegations and stated that they have been in contact with Wright in an effort to resolve the matter. However, she claims that the airline has yet to issue a formal apology.

Initially, British Airways offered Wright a gift card worth $250 as compensation, which was later increased to $1,000. Wright expressed her dissatisfaction with this response, likening the offer to a trivial complaint about a broken headset. She noted, “It’s taken threatening legal action to get them to pay attention.”

British Airways has not publicly commented further on the specifics of the incident. As the airline continues its investigation, Wright’s experience highlights ongoing discussions around the treatment of nursing mothers in public spaces, particularly on flights.

Wright’s case serves as an important reminder of the need for sensitivity and respect towards nursing mothers, especially in environments where privacy is limited. The outcome of the investigation and any subsequent actions taken by British Airways remain to be seen as they work to address this serious allegation.