WestJet Investigates Passenger's Claim of Flight Attendant's Weight Mockery and Contact

An Alberta man has filed a formal complaint against WestJet, alleging a flight attendant mocked his weight and touched him without permission during a flight to Mexico. Dave Rogers, a resident of Redcliff, claims the incident occurred on his Christmas Eve flight from Edmonton to Mazatlan, significantly affecting his holiday experience. The airline has confirmed it is reviewing the serious allegations.

Allegations of Unwanted In-Flight Conduct

Rogers and his wife were traveling to Mazatlan for the holidays. The alleged incident happened near the end of the flight, during the final garbage collection. Rogers claims a flight attendant, referencing two empty pop cans, made a gesture suggesting a large stomach and then tapped him on the abdomen.

"He tapped me on my stomach and said, 'this is the result,'" Rogers reported. This unwanted contact on aircraft left Rogers and his wife "gobsmacked and bewildered." The passenger felt the exchange ruined the start of his vacation.

Rogers, an ex-military veteran, admitted he has gained weight since leaving service. He stressed that no passenger should face such treatment. He also noted that a relative, a retired WestJet flight attendant, suggested the WestJet flight attendant conduct went against training. The relative also reportedly said the physical contact could be seen as bordering on assault.

WestJet Response and Compensation Denial

Following the trip, Rogers contacted the airline to file his WestJet passenger complaint. The airline reportedly apologized and agreed the behavior was contrary to their training. However, the airline denied Rogers' request for compensation, such as a flight voucher or points.

WestJet stated the decision was due to a lack of supporting evidence for the interaction. The airline later provided a statement to The Canadian Press, confirming the seriousness of the matter. WestJet said the passenger fat-shaming claim has been "escalated for internal review." The company hopes to resolve the situation directly with the guest.

• The airline acknowledged the seriousness of the passenger's allegations.
• The incident is currently under internal review by WestJet.
• Compensation was initially denied due to a lack of supporting evidence.

Industry Context and Training Protocols

This incident highlights the critical importance of airline employee professional standards in Canadian airline customer service. Cabin crew are trained to maintain a safe and respectful environment. Transport Canada regulations prohibit illegal behavior, including harassment and physical assault, on aircraft. The flight attendant training protocols emphasize professional conduct and non-interference with passengers. Unwanted physical contact, even if perceived as a joke, is a serious violation of this trust and standard.

Rogers also reached out to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA). The CTA, however, informed him the customer-service case was not within its jurisdiction. The CTA primarily handles regulatory matters like accessibility and certain air passenger rights, not general customer service disputes. This leaves the resolution largely within the airline's internal process.

Stakeholders across the commercial aviation news sector are watching the outcome. This case underscores the challenges airlines face in monitoring and enforcing cabin crew interaction standards. It also shows the difficulty passengers can face when seeking compensation for non-safety-related misconduct. For more on commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.

WestJet’s internal review must now determine the facts of the alleged conduct. The outcome will set a precedent for how the airline addresses such sensitive passenger interactions going forward.