‘Bit of a foul smell’: Woman says Air Canada made passengers sit in vomit-covered seats

A woman on a recent Air Canada flight claims the airline made three passengers sit on vomit-covered seats, leading to security placing two of them on a no-fly list.

Susan Benson of New Brunswick took to social media on August 29 with a lengthy Facebook post. She claims the incident occurred on an August 26 flight from Las Vegas to Montreal.

“Seated in front of us were two ladies and a gentleman who were struggling to get seated. There was a bit of a foul smell, but we didn’t know at first what the problem was,” Benson wrote on Facebook.

“Apparently, on the previous flight, someone had vomited in that area. Air Canada attempted a quick clean up before boarding but clearly wasn’t able to do a thorough clean.”

Benson alleges Air Canada employees tried to quickly mask the stench by placing coffee grinds in the seat pouch and spraying perfume, to no avail.

“When the clearly upset passengers tried to explain to the flight attendant that the seat and seatbelt were wet and there was still visible vomit residue in their area, the flight attendant was very apologetic but explained that the flight was full and there was nothing they could do,” Benson wrote.

“The passengers said they couldn’t possibly be expected to sit in vomit for five hours.”

Passengers escorted off plane, placed on no-fly list, woman claims

Benson said that eventually, the three passengers were given blankets to put on top of the seat as well as wipes and vomit bags.

The woman alleges that Air Canada’s pilot approached the three passengers and explained that they could leave the plane on their own accord and buy tickets for a new flight or be escorted off the plane by security and placed on a no-fly list.

Air Canada planes sit on the tarmac at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

“When they asked why, he said they were rude to the flight attendant. They were certainly not!” Benson continued in her post.

“They were upset and firm but not rude! The passengers beside them explain to the pilot that they have literal vomit in their seats and, as a police officer, they would never treat people like that.”

Benson claims security entered the plane and eventually escorted two women off.

“For what? Refusing to sit in vomit for five hours! Air Canada literally expects passage to sit in vomit or be escorted off the plane and placed on a no-fly list,” Benson said.

“I have no idea if they were actually placed on the no-fly list or not. I cannot stop thinking about these two ladies. They did nothing wrong.”

Benson ended her social media post by saying she’s ashamed of the Canadian airline.

“I would like for as many people as possible to share this. I have already complained to Air Canada directly and placed it on other social media platforms. I hope they find a good lawyer and sue the pants off Air Canada.”

CityNews has reached out to Air Canada for comment.