British Paralympian Told to Wait an Hour to Use Bathroom on Emirates Flight
Nikki Emerson, 29, a British para-athlete was on an Emirates flight on her way to the Commonwealth Games in Australia when members of the crew told her she would have to wait up to one hour to use the restroom until after the food and drink service was complete. Emerson, who is slated to compete in the T54 1500m and T54 marathon events at the Games this week, told the BBC that the crew said they would assist her once they were available.
Emerson, who's been confined to a wheelchair since 2008 after a near-fatal car accident according to The Daily Mail, did not let the crew stop her from using the restroom, though. She successfully made it to the bathroom, but upon exiting, she said a member of the crew was waiting outside the lavatory door. "There was an air stewardess waiting outside for me when I came out to tell me this wasn't okay," Emerson said. "She said, 'You can't be on the floor, it'll upset people, let me help you to walk' and I said, 'well I can't walk at all' and that obviously caused an issue."
Emerson added that the reason she believes the crew wanted her to wait is because they thought it would make the other passengers uncomfortable to see someone climbing on the floor of the aisle. "In my mind, the only reason that should make the other passengers uncomfortable is because it would show them that the airline that they are travelling with doesn't have adequate provisions for disabled people, but I don't know if that was what the air stewardess was concerned about."
The Paralympian said she doesn't think it's acceptable to have to use the bathroom on someone else's schedule just because of her disability. She said she understands that it can be shocking to people to see someone crawling on the floor of an airplane, but for her, it's the only way she can successfully use the restroom on an airplane without her wheelchair.
"This isn't a one airline specific thing," she said. "Sometimes it is specific airports, so at Gatwick I've been told I need to hand over my passport to a complete stranger because some of the gates aren't accessible. They get an assistant to take your passport and go and do some of the security protocol for you which sort of takes your independence away." Emerson said she doesn't look forward to traveling, even though she's often in the air, because airlines and airports force her to rely on others.
Emerson added that a senior Emirates employee later apologized and said the airline would be investigating.
H/T: Airlive
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees