Disabled Passenger Forced to Stand for Duration of Flight

27 May 2014: Sam Cawthorn was Young Australian of the year in 2009 for Tasmania and a motivational speaker who always travels with Virgin Airlines and has always been happy with their service.

Until his overnight flight from Perth to Brisbane where his seating arrangements were not set properly because someone didn't listen. Sam was made to stand up for much of the 3 hour flight because his leg does not bend and it overhung the three seats.

Sam asked the staff to give other options a try but was refused by the cabin supervisor.

It makes me mad when people with disabilities have their requests ignored and we end up struggling or fighting for what we need to happen so that we can be comfortable and not be a bother to others.

The airline said Sam, had not notified them of his disability. What had he done on previous flights that was not done on this one?

You can read more of Sam's story here: http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/disabled-passenger-sam-cawthorn-forced-to-stand-on-virgin-australia-flight/story-e6frfq80-1226905755499