Both of Canada’s major airlines already outlaw an inexpensive device that sparked an expensive flight diversion in the U.S. earlier this week.
A United Airlines flight from Newark to Denver made an unscheduled stop in Chicago after two passengers got into a fracas over the use of a clever little plastic clamp called the Knee Defender. The device attaches to the seatback tray of an airliner and prevents the seat from being reclined.
A male passenger, who was working on his laptop, objected to the female passenger in front of him reclining her seat, heated words and apparently some seat shoving followed and at some point he clamped her in the upright position. She responded with a glass of water to his face and the flight crew decided they’d had enough.
The passengers were hauled off the plane by police waiting for them in Chicago and the aircraft left for Denver without them. Police didn’t lay charges, saying it was a “customer service” rather than criminal matter.
Nevertheless, Air Canada and WestJet undoubtedly saw the potential for such passenger friction and expressly banned the device some time ago. Transport Canada has not banned the Knee Defender and told CTV it will continue to allow airlines to decide whether they’re allowed on their planes.