Plane passenger’s MacBook “destroyed” by aircraft seat

By Christian Fleetwood

A Delta Airlines passenger was left red-faced after his laptop was “destroyed” by a reclined chair.

In a tech mishap, Pat Cassidy claims his MacBook laptop was smashed by the passenger in front of him when they reclined their chair.

Revealed in a disgruntled tweet, Cassidy told Delta: “small note for the suggestion box, maybe have a little warning sign or someway to prevent my laptop from being destroyed when the person in front of me reclines their seat.”

On closer examination of the picture attached to his post, it appears that the man tucked the screen into the tray storage area before it was smashed – a detail noted by multiple respondees.

@delta Also, this one is more of a critique than a suggestion. I really appreciate that your flight attendant came over to tell me that the passenger in front of me “needs to be able to recline” and then asked him “if he was okay?” as if your seat hadn’t just ruined my livelihood

— Pat “Beave” Cassidy 🦫 (@HardFactorPat) February 26, 2020

“Frankly, it’s unsurprising that this would happen,” @hisham_hm said.

“Pretty easy to tell if you jam your computer under there that will happen,” @M1tchGud added.

“Kind of your fault tbh. Why would you tuck you screen under the TV. Pull your tray out and the problem is solved… common sense?” Twitter user @Cpt_Shmorgan noted.

Others were quick to wonder whether Cassidy brought the broken laptop on board and then photographed it later in order to trick the airline into paying for a new MacBook Pro.

However, another user, Jud MacKrill, posted a photo from October of his own laptop broken in the same way.

https://t.co/jSrWWk6gCD

— Jud Mackrill (@JudMackrill) February 27, 2020

Check out the aircraft incident that sparked a lawsuit against American Airlines.

Delta reacted to the incident, with the response shared by Cassidy in a following tweet that the alleged MacBook victim said was “an explanation that you would give a six year old. Cool”.

“Thank you for writing us about your experience,” the response read.

“I’m sorry your laptop was broken due to another passenger reclining on your seat. It’s not fair when one person’s behaviour affects another person.

“Please note that Personal property damaged in-flight as a result of a passenger action is not reimbursable. We regret the inconvenience this has caused you,” Delta wrote.

The airline then advised it would add 7,500 bonus miles to Cassidy’s SkyMiles account as “a goodwill gesture”.

Lucky for him, his MacBook was reportedly repaired by Apple – but for the rest of us, it’s a lesson to tread carefully when stowing laptops.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Apple MacBook seat recline watch