A passenger on a Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) flight had a very different experience than he expected after paying €170 for a “premium” upgrade — his seat turned out to be right next to the aircraft toilet.
According to a report by Norwegian news agency NTB, citing the newspaper Romerikes Blad, the traveller was flying from Oslo to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, when he realized that his extra-fee seat offered more discomfort than comfort.
Unwanted traffic and unpleasant smells
Throughout the flight, the man reportedly had to endure a constant line of passengers queuing up beside him to use the restroom.
As if that wasn’t enough, he claimed that the backsides of waiting travellers were repeatedly near his head, making it impossible to relax.
In his written complaint to the national consumer authority, the passenger described that some people even passed gas while standing in line — an experience he had to tolerate while eating his in-flight meal.
€170 refund claim dismissed
The disgruntled traveller demanded a refund of 2,000 Norwegian kroner (around €170), arguing that the seat could not reasonably be considered “premium.”
However, SAS rejected his claim, stating that the flight had proceeded without any operational issues.
“Unfortunately, SAS cannot offer compensation for experiences on board,” the airline was quoted as saying.
Consumer authority sides with airline
The complaint was then reviewed by the Norwegian Transport Complaints Board, which also sided with the airline.
“The Commission recommends that no financial compensation be paid,” the decision stated.
The board concluded that SAS had delivered what could be expected, given the passenger’s ticket class and the circumstances of the flight.
Lesson learned for future travelers
While the incident may seem humorous in retrospect, it highlights a real issue: premium upgrades don’t always guarantee premium comfort, especially on shorter flights with compact cabin layouts.
Experts advise passengers to check seat maps before booking and to be cautious of “premium” seats located near toilets or galley areas, which can result in similar situations.
