Seat dispute: Family of 4 removed from plane by police

A Brazilian family was escorted by police off an Air France flight after getting into a dispute with airline staff over a business class seat. Daily Mail- Reported IndeksOnline.

Brazilian businessman Ivan Lopes, his wife and their two daughters Bruna Lopes, 26, and another daughter, 11, were removed from a January 14 flight from Paris to Salvador, Brazil. The incident occurred after the airline attempted to move Bruna Lopes from business class to premium economy.

According to Aeroin, Bruna was assigned to seat 7L, but when she boarded the plane, she found another passenger sitting there. The staff explained that another seat in business class was damaged and could not be converted into a bed, so the other passenger – who had paid the full price of the ticket – had priority over Bruna Lopes, who had paid about $1,900 for an upgrade on the day of departure.

There were no other seats available in the 28-seat business class section. The other three family members were allowed to stay in business class, but tensions escalated over Bruna Lopes' displacement. Part of the argument was captured on video.

In the footage, a crew member can be heard telling them: "This is your last call. If I tell you one more time, I'll call the police."

The family is heard saying that their only wish was to return to Brazil, while the person who threatened them left the plane.

According to Air France, the family was offered the option of all sitting in premium economy or sitting separately in different seats. The company claims the family agreed to sit separately, but then began behaving inappropriately towards staff while on the plane.

A crew member asked for their boarding passes while a family member was filming. She was told sternly, "You're not filming anything. You're not allowed to film," as she left the plane with their passes.

Ivan Lopes told BNews that the captain entered the plane shouting and behaving in an abusive manner, insisting that he had no choice but to move his daughter. He claims the captain physically touched him and threatened to either remain silent or leave the plane.

Air France told Aeroin that the incident began at the boarding gate and that the family had been informed in advance that Bruna Lopes could not remain in the business class seat. The captain decided to have all four passengers leave the flight, which led to the intervention of the police.

After disembarking the plane, the airline offered the family an alternative flight, but according to Ivan Lopes, on the advice of his lawyer, the family traveled with another airline and arrived in Salvador a day later.

Ivan Lopes has warned that he will sue Air France for emotional damages and financial losses estimated at around 100 Brazilian reals, or approximately 20 US dollars.

The Daily Mail has requested comment from Air France regarding the case.