Mother’s Anguish: British Airways Flight Attendant’s Invasive Act Sparks Outrage

A California mother, Shayanne Wright, is speaking out against British Airways after a disturbing incident on a red-eye flight where a crew member allegedly lifted her nursing cover without consent, exposing her while she breastfed her 7-month-old infant daughter. Wright, a business owner and city commissioner from Costa Mesa, claims she alerted the crew ahead of meal service that she would be nursing and requested her meal be served later, but her request was denied.

The Incident
During meal service, the attendant repeatedly touched Wright’s leg and, without permission, lifted her nursing cover, waking her baby. Wright described the encounter as having a “hostile, physically invasive vibe”. Despite her clear discomfort, the attendant simply asked if she wanted her meal without apologizing or showing any regard for her privacy.

Aftermath
British Airways acknowledged Wright’s complaint, stating they’ve looked into the allegations and are in contact with her to resolve the matter. However, Wright disputes this, saying the airline offered gift cards worth $250 and later $1,000 without directly apologizing or taking accountability for the incident. Feeling frustrated by the airline’s response, Wright took to Reddit’s breastfeeding community, where her post went viral, garnering over 600,000 views and sparking widespread support.

Wright’s Stance
Wright characterizes the incident as sexual harassment and is pushing for accountability and sensitivity training within the airline. Her experience has only strengthened her resolve to advocate for nursing mothers’ rights. “Never apologize for protecting that space you’re creating for your child with nursing,” she emphasized, urging airlines to respect nursing mothers’ boundaries.

Legal Protections
Both U.S. and U.K. regulations protect breastfeeding mothers’ rights when flying. The TSA exempts breast milk and formula from standard liquid restrictions, and the U.K.’s Equality Act 2010 safeguards breastfeeding in public spaces. British Airways’ policy, while not explicitly stated on their website, acknowledges welcoming breastfeeding onboard, having said, “We carry thousands of infants and their families on our flights every year… And we welcome breastfeeding on board”.

Conclusion
This incident highlights the importance of respecting personal boundaries, especially for nursing mothers. Wright’s determination to speak out serves as a reminder for airlines to prioritize sensitivity training and ensure their staff understand the importance of respecting passengers’ privacy.