A plus-size model has accused Qatar Airways of discriminatory practices after she was reportedly asked to pay for an upgrade as she couldn't fit in her economy seat.
Juliana Nehme, a 38-year-old model and content creator from São Paulo, Brazil, launched a scathing attack on the airway after staff allegedly refused to let her board a return flight from Beirut, Lebanon.
According to Nehme, she was asked to shell out $4800 or miss the flight as she was unable to fit in her seat.
Taking to her Instagram on Thursday, Nehme, who has more than 168,000 followers on the platform, recounted the "humiliating" experience in an impassioned tirade, calling the airline out for "discrimination" and "threatening" behaviour.
The model said she and her mother, sister and nephew were set to return home to Brazil after enjoying a family holiday in Lebanon, but ran into trouble at the airport when staff said she would be required to upgrade her flight to first class due to her size.
"I WASN'T WELCOME TO BOARD BECAUSE I'M FAT," Nehme wrote on her Instagram, according to a translation of her original post.
"Bought a flight back to Brazil via Qatar… a Qatar Airways [employee] called my mother [over] while the lady was checking [us] in and told her… they weren't going to welcome me on the flight! Only if I bought [a] FIRST CLASS pass.
"After hours of begging, she returned all the bags that had already been dispatched. I tried until the end to be allowed to fly, since we were four people travelling together, and she REFUSED… [I] stayed for almost two hours begging. My mom tried everything. I was threatened."
After failing to convince the staff to allow her to fly, her sister and nephew continued home to São Paulo on their intended flight, while Nehme and her mother remained "stuck in Lebanon".
"Shame on a company like Qatar to allow this type of discrimination to people! I'm FAT but I'm [the] SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE! It's not fair to let me buy my ticket and be HUMILIATED, THREATENED AND BLOCKED FROM FLYING!" she continued.
In a statement to Fox News, Qatar Airways responded to the model's allegations and claimed she had been so aggressive towards staff, airport security were forced to intervene - twice.
The carrier told the outlet there had also been issues with Nehme's COVID-19 documentation.
"The passenger in question at Beirut Airport was initially extremely rude and aggressive to check-in staff when one of her travelling party did not produce required PCR documentation for entry to Brazil," a spokesperson for the airline said in an emailed statement to Fox News.
"Qatar Airways treats all passengers with respect and dignity and in line with industry practices and similar to most airlines, anyone who impedes upon the space of a fellow traveller and cannot secure their seatbelt or lower their armrests may be required to purchase an additional seat both as a safety precaution and for the comfort and safety of all passengers."
In her post to Instagram last week, Nehme said she and her family had travelled to Lebanon via Air France and had not experienced "any embarrassment or harassment".
Nehme also alleged the staffer at the desk had "pushed" her when she attempted to record the confrontation, forcing her to end the video.
"I don't speak English or Arabic," Nehme continued. "I'm spending money on [a] hotel and taxi that I didn't need. Can't afford to hang around any longer. And they said I have to pay for another fare for my mother and upgrade mine to [first class].
"I was extremely humiliated in front of all the people at the airport! All because I'm FAT!"
In a series of videos shared later that day, Nehme thanked her followers for the outpouring of advice and support.
"I thank you from my heart for all the affection and all the fight for a fairer world… I'm sharing here so you can share and help me," she captioned the clips.
In the statement to Fox News, Qatar Airways said Nehme and her mother were rebooked onto a later flight from Beirut, but did not clarify if the 38-year-old was required to pay for an upgrade.
