Sitting Next to a Stinker
Where: Germany
Ever suffered through a plane trip next to a particular stinky co-passenger and wished you could do something about it? Apparently, you can. Airline policies usually include clauses allowing them to bar passengers with especially bad odors. For example, American Airlines can choose not to allow passengers who "have an offensive odor not caused by a disability or illness" to travel; British Airways can refuse you if "you or your baggage may affect the comfort of any person in the aircraft."
And it was the British Airways policy that got a good test this week, when a German court had to decide whether or not they'd done the wrong thing by disembarking a passenger whose smell caused a problem for those around him. He said he couldn't change his shirt since all his fresh shirts were in his checked baggage, and complained that the airport hadn't had good enough air conditioning. He then sued BA for compensation after he was taken off his flight to Germany. But the courts handed down this message loud and clear: stinky is no good. So pack your deodorant and a spare shirt if you're likely to offend.
[Photo: allison.jean]
Related Stories:
· Traveler Ejected For Smell [Yahoo News]
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