Plus-Size Model Says Qatar Airways Stopped Her Boarding for Being Fat

• A Qatar Airways passenger who is plus-sized claimed she was denied boarding due to her “fat” status.
• Juliana Nehme stated that she was advised to buy a first class ticket because she wouldn’t fit into an economy seat.
• Qatar stated that Nehme became “extremely rude” and aggressive after failing to produce the right documents.

A plus-sized model stated she was refused entry on a Qatar Airways flight as she was too large to fit in an economy-class seat. The airline however said that she had been rude and aggressive with check-in staff.

Juliana NehmeA model and influencer, he stated in an Instagram postAfter a family holiday in Lebanon, I was not permitted to board a flight from Beirut To Doha.

She claimed that Qatar had told her to pay $3,000 for first class, and refused to reimburse her $947 she paid for her economy flight. 

According to a report by a, Nehme stated in Portuguese that she bought a return ticket from Brazil via Qatar. “An attendant at Qatar called my mother to let her know I was not welcome to board because of my weight,” Nehme wrote in an Instagram video. News.com.au report.

Juliana Nehme (@juliananehme), shared this post

Nehme shared with her followers that she missed her connecting flight from Sao Paulo after the incident.

Insider was told by a spokesperson for Qatar Airways that Nehme was “extremely rude” and aggressive towards check-in staff after another member of her party failed to produce COVID documentation. 

The spokesperson said that passengers may be allowed to buy an additional seat if they are not able to fit into the existing one. 

Qatar Airways treats everyone with respect and dignity. According to industry practices, anyone who hinders the space of other passengers or can’t secure their seatbelt, or lower their armrests, may be required to buy an additional seat. This is both for safety and to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers.

The spokesperson for Qatar said that Nehme was transferred to a later flight after she had returned from Lebanon. It wasn’t clear if she was required to pay an upgrade in order to fly. 

Insider reached out to Nehme but he didn’t respond immediately.