Seat swap outcry forces Virgin to re-consider 'sexist' paedophile policy

Sydney, Aug. 10 (ANI): A public backlash has prompted Virgin Australia to announce that it will review its policy that bars men from sitting beside unaccompanied minors during flights.

The announcement comes after the airline was widely criticized after a Sydney fireman reported that he was asked to swap seats because he sat beside two unaccompanied minor boys.

After defending its policy, the airline announced via Twitter that it was reviewing its stance.

"We understand the concerns raised around our policy for children travelling alone, a long-standing policy initially based on customer feedback," The Age quoted @VirginAustralia, as saying.

"In light of recent feedback, we're now reviewing this policy. Our intention is certainly not to discriminate in any way," @VirginAustralia said.

According to the report, the passenger Johnny McGirr, 33, said he was flying home from risbane in April, when he took his seat next to two boys he estimated to be aged between 8 and 10.

McGirr said that he was assigned the window seat, but sat in the aisle seat so the two boys could look out of the window.

However, a flight attendant approached him just as passengers were asked to put on their seatbelts, and asked him to move.

McGirr said when he asked why, he was told, "Well you can't sit next to two unaccompanied minors."

"She said it was the policy, and I said, 'Well, that's pretty sexist and discriminatory. You can't just say because I'm a man, I can't sit there,' and she just apologised and said that was the policy.

McGirr said the attendant then asked a fellow female passenger to sit next to minors.

McGirr said he understood the children were vulnerable when not with an adult, but said that fears about crimes committed by a small minority of people should not rule society. (ANI)