MAZATLÁN— A holiday flight intended to mark a relaxing Christmas getaway turned into a distressing experience for a Canadian passenger traveling with WestJet (WS), after an alleged incident involving a flight attendant during the final moments of the journey.

The incident occurred onboard a WestJet-operated flight bound for Mazatlán International Airport (MZT), where Alberta resident and military veteran Dave Rogers says an inappropriate gesture and comment left him embarrassed and shaken just before landing.

WestJet Passenger Reports Body Shaming

According to Rogers, the flight on Christmas Eve progressed normally despite stormy weather at departure. Cabin service was described as pleasant, including an early interaction where a flight attendant offered him and his wife full cans of soft drinks instead of the standard cup service.

As the aircraft began its descent and the cabin crew prepared the cabin for landing, another flight attendant approached to collect garbage. Rogers says he held up the two empty cans for disposal, expecting a routine interaction.

Instead, he alleges the crew member gestured toward the cans, mimicked a large stomach, physically tapped Rogers on his abdomen, and made a remark implying weight gain.

Rogers states the interaction was unprompted and occurred in full view of nearby passengers.

Passenger Response

Rogers says he was caught completely off guard by the encounter and felt genuinely offended by what he perceived as body-shaming behavior. A 23-year military veteran, he noted that he had never previously experienced anything similar during air travel.

He later reflected that the gesture may have been intended as humor, but emphasized there was no prior conversation or joking that could have invited such a comment. Rogers stated he had only exchanged brief holiday greetings with the flight attendant earlier while boarding.

After landing, Rogers discussed the incident with his wife and another passenger, though they initially left the airport unsure how to respond.

Conversations with family members in Mazatlán later reinforced that the behavior was inappropriate and warranted escalation.

Airline Response

Rogers contacted WestJet after the flight to formally raise the issue. He says the airline responded quickly with an apology but informed him that compensation could not be offered due to a lack of evidence supporting the claim.

WestJet later issued a public statement acknowledging the allegation and confirming that the matter had been escalated internally. The airline stated it takes such concerns seriously and aims to resolve the situation directly with the guest following an internal review.

Despite the experience, Rogers emphasized that he flies with WestJet multiple times each year and generally finds the airline’s staff professional and courteous.

He described the incident as an isolated event but said its emotional impact lingered well into his vacation.

Bottom Line

Rogers says the encounter overshadowed what should have been a joyful holiday trip and hopes sharing his experience prevents similar situations for other travelers.

While WestJet continues its internal review, the incident highlights the importance of professionalism and sensitivity in cabin interactions, particularly during high-stress travel periods.

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.

Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News