Good Morning Britain viewers were shocked today to hear about an airline’s “disgraceful” statement following a disabled woman’s ordeal while on one of its flights.

Jennie Berry, from Hartlepool, appeared on the ITV show this morning to discuss what happened during a flight from Newcastle Airport.

The woman, who is paralysed from the waist down, had been filmed by her boyfriend as she "dragged" herself up the aisle of the AlbaStar flight to reach the toilet.

The airline had failed to provide Jennie with a specially designed aisle chair that would have allowed her to make her way to the toilet with dignity.

Meanwhile, Jennie claimed staff on the flight told her that disabled people “should wear nappies.”

The Northern Echo: Jennie was on Goog Morning Britain today to highlight the issues and discrimination she faced while travelling. Picture: ITVJennie was on Goog Morning Britain today to highlight the issues and discrimination she faced while travelling. Picture: ITV (Image: ITV)

Read more: Shocking moment wheelchair-user has to drag herself to toilet onboard Newcastle flight

Speaking on the show this morning, Jennie told hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shepherd that her boyfriend asked cabin crew if it would be okay is she could sit closer to the front of the plane, so it was easier for her to access the toilet.

Jennie said: “They said no, first they said it was because of health and safety, then they changed their minds and said it was because the front row seats have fixed arm rests.”

The privately owned Spanish airline issued a statement to Good Morning Britain today.

The Northern Echo: Jennie was unimpressed by the statement issued by the CEO of the airline. Picture: ITVJennie was unimpressed by the statement issued by the CEO of the airline. Picture: ITV (Image: ITV)

Read more: TUI responds after wheelchair-user forced to drag herself up aisle on Newcastle flight

The Northern Echo: Jennie had to drag herslef along tha sile of the plane to reach the toilet after an accessible aisle chair that would have enabled her to reach the loo with dignity, was not provided. Picture: INSTAGRAM/WHEELIE_GOOD_LIFEJennie had to drag herslef along tha sile of the plane to reach the toilet after an accessible aisle chair that would have enabled her to reach the loo with dignity, was not provided. Picture: INSTAGRAM/WHEELIE_GOOD_LIFE (Image: Instagram/Wheelie_Good_Life)

It read: “Our CEO called Ms Berry to personally apologise and explained on our many short haul aircrafts in Europe the proper storage of these aisle chairs is a key safety issue in the event of an emergency. Hardly any short haul aircraft in Europe carry these aisle chairs, including some very well-known UK airlines.

“As it is against regulations for cabin crew to lift passengers in flight, the key point here is to ask why her partner did not help her get to the toilet rather than spend his time filming.

“Meanwhile TUI, who outsourced the flight to AlbaStar, said they were not made aware of Jennie's needs and if they had been they would have provided an aisle chair, insisting their planes are equipped with them.”

The Northern Echo: Jennie had an ordeal when an accessible aisle chair was not provided. Picture: INSTAGRAM/WHEELIE_GOOD_LIFEJennie had an ordeal when an accessible aisle chair was not provided. Picture: INSTAGRAM/WHEELIE_GOOD_LIFE (Image: Instagram/Wheelie_Good_Life)

Jennie said of AlbaStar's response: “It's astounding that that was the response that was given here rather than just simply providing access.”

On social media, viewers were left furious at Jennie's treatment as they reacted to the interview.

Another person added: "I’ve just seen this on @GMB, I’m so angry you were treated like that, I’m also angry at all the ignorant ableist comments on the GMB #. One woman said it was ‘just common sense’ for us disabled folk to wear a nappy on a plane! I’m fuming. We need to boycott #AlabasterAirlines."

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