Manhattan Man Sues JetBlue for $2 Million over Forced Bathroom Break

By Aaron Poehler

Published on May 14, 2008

The 36-year-old Mutlu says on February 23 of this year, he had a standby ticket for a JetBlue cross-country flight from San Diego to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. After Mutlu was told the flight was full, an off-duty flight attendant volunteered to give up her seat and ride in a flight attendant's jumpseat so that Mutlu could get on board.

90 minutes into the flight, Mutlu says he was summoned to the cockpit where the pilot told him the off-duty flight attendant was uncomfortable in the jumpseat, so Mutlu would have to instead move to the bathroom. According to a lawsuit filed by Mutlu against JetBlue on Monday over the incident, though Mutlu offered to switch and sit in the jumpseat, he was told it was for authorized personnel only and that the bathroom was his only choice.

Mutlu's suit seeks $2 million for emotional damages suffered in the incident.

Federal Aviation Administration officials stated that the incident is under investigation, noting that all passengers must have seat belts available for use in case of turbulence.

JetBlue has made no public response to Mutlu's allegations, saying that the airline does not discuss pending litigation.

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