“Singapore Airlines Issues Partial Refund After Disabled Student Reports Discriminatory Treatment “

Singapore Airlines (SIA) recently provided a partial refund to Australian student Isabella Beale, who alleged discrimination after being asked to move from her reserved emergency exit row seat on two SIA flights in January due to her disability. Beale, who was born without a left forearm, does not require assistance, yet SIA’s policy restricts certain groups, including those needing “special assistance,” from emergency exit rows to ensure that only those capable of operating emergency doors sit in these areas.

The issue for Beale, however, was not the policy itself, but the way SIA staff communicated with her. She recounted feeling humiliated when an SIA stewardess abruptly asked her to vacate her seat, saying in a loud tone, “Get out, get out of that seat now, you need to get up.” Beale complied but was moved again after switching seats with her partner. The attention drawn by the situation left her upset, particularly as fellow passengers watched.

Beale took proactive steps on her return flight, asking SIA staff about seating at the check-in desk, where she was assured of her eligibility for an exit row. Yet, just before takeoff, she was again told to move. Staff allegedly communicated dismissively, addressing her partner and partner’s mother instead. According to Beale, a manager even gestured at her missing limb, remarking, “The problem’s obvious,” which left her feeling “vilified for her disability” in front of the other passengers.

SIA has since apologized, stating, “We are sorry for any distress or embarrassment caused by the request to move.” The airline refunded the cost of the exit row seat, promised to review its training procedures, and acknowledged the decision should have been made earlier in the boarding process.

In a social media post, Beale emphasized the importance of treating people with disabilities with respect, writing, “We deserve to be in public spaces. We deserve to travel. We deserve to have our humanity respected.”