Para-athlete flying to Commonwealth Games on Emirates flight says she was told to wait an hour to use toilet

April 4, 2018

A British Para-athlete says it's not acceptable that she was told to wait an hour to go to the toilet on an Emirates flight, while travelling to compete at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Nikki Emerson told BBC Radio that she was told she would have to wait until the food and drink service was completed before someone could help her go to the bathroom on an aisle seat.

When she attempted to do the toilet trip without assistance by climbing on the floor, she was told her behaviour was "unacceptable" by flight staff.

"There was an air stewardess waiting outside for me when I came out to tell me this wasn't OK," Emerson said.

'"She said, 'you can't be on the floor, it'll upset people, let me help you to walk' and I said, 'well I can't walk at all' and that obviously caused an issue. I think the stewardesses felt it would make people uncomfortable to see someone climbing on the floor."

Emerson said it would show other passengers the airline they're travelling with doesn't have adequate provisions for disabled people, "but I don't know if that was what the air stewardess was concerned about".

She said a senior member of Emirates staff had apologised to her after the incident and the airline was looking into the matter.

Emerson will compete for England in the T54 1500m and marathon events at the Commonwealth Games.

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