British Airways was sued by a passenger who said he suffered injury and lost earnings after being seated beside an “extremely large” traveler on a 12‑hour flight from Bangkok (BKK) to London (LHR) in January 2016.
Fifty-one‑year‑old Stephen Prosser is seeking £10,000 in damages, alleging the experience caused ongoing back spasms, injury to his sacroiliac joint, and exacerbated a 12‑year‑old spinal condition. He says the pain left him with low energy, affected his relationship with his partner, and forced him to stop mountain biking.
Prosser, who is 5’3″, says he was seated next to the late New Zealand rugby star Jonah Lomu, whom he describes as about 6’4″ and more than 300 pounds. According to Prosser, Lomu had to wedge himself between the armrests, sat with his knees against the seat in front, and overspilled into Prosser’s seat by several inches.
“I was immediately aware that this was going to be problematic for me and I could feel the weight of his bulk putting lateral pressure on my upper body. This forced me into an unnatural posture,” Prosser said. He also reported that when Lomu rested his arm it sometimes lay on Prosser’s armrest and accidentally turned up the volume on Prosser’s audio to an extremely loud level.
Prosser says he raised the issue with crew members but was told there were no alternative seats available. British Airways disputes the account, saying crew observed Prosser sleeping at times and did not see signs of discomfort.
The case highlights tensions that can arise on long-haul flights when passengers’ bodies and seating constraints intersect. Passengers with pre‑existing conditions can be particularly vulnerable to cramped conditions and prolonged awkward posture, and airlines face complex decisions when allocating seating on full flights. In courtroom claims like this, courts typically weigh medical evidence, witness statements, and airline procedures to determine whether negligence or inadequate assistance contributed to any injury.
Whether or not the court awards damages, the dispute underscores ongoing debates about space, comfort and responsibility on commercial flights. Airlines continue to face pressure to accommodate passengers of all sizes while balancing safety, seat allocation and fairness to other travelers. At the same time, passengers are encouraged to report discomfort promptly and seek documented assistance from crew to ensure their concerns are formally recorded.