BA defends decision not to fly home 35 stone man
A French family claims British Airways has stranded them in Chicago, refusing to fly them home because their 35 stone son is too fat.
Kevin Chenais, 22, had spent the last 18 months at the city’s Mayo Clinic receiving medical treatment for a hormone disorder that caused his extreme weight gain.
After a week of arguing unsuccessfully with BA, the family has decided to take a train to New York and then sail home on the Queen Mary, CBS News reported.
"We blame British Airways because now they just leave us, and they brought us here," Christina Chenais told the station, close to tears.
"If they could bring him here with that problem in economy, there was a way to take him back by economy but just get him back home for his medical treatments to continue."
A British Airways spokesman said its customer service team worked diligently to find a solution but have exhausted all options.
"We will always try to accommodate someone if it’s possible and safe to do so. Unfortunately, it is not possible to safely accommodate the customer on any of our aircraft," he said.
"The British Airways team has been in regular contact with the family, providing guidance and support as well as exploring other options for travel. BA has also provided hotel accommodation throughout."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026