EasyJet passengers told of their shock today after a picture emerged of a woman apparently sitting in a seat with no back to it on a flight from London.
Images shared on social media show a woman sitting on a chair without a back on board the flight bound for Geneva.
Passenger Matthew Harris, who posted the picture online, said he was flying from Luton Airport on the Airbus A319-111 when his partner took the photo.
EasyJet caused an angry response by asking Mr Harris to delete the picture when he asked: "How can this be allowed?"
Mr Harris' claim was disputed by the airline, who said no passengers were allowed to sit in the seats, which "were inoperative awaiting repair".
However, Mr Harris insisted it was her seat, adding: "One has to wonder how safe the rest of the plane was."
"The lady was moved to a spare seat once the flight was fully boarded. Not sure what would have happened if the flight was full," he wrote.
In response, easyJet said if the flight had been full, two passengers would have been offered an alternate flight "as they would not have been permitted to travel in these seats".
A spokesman said there were five spare seats available which the woman was able to move to before take-off.
EasyJet said: "No passengers were permitted to sit in these seats as they were inoperative awaiting repair.
"Safety is our highest priority and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all safety guidelines.”
The picture initially prompted outrage on Twitter, with one person writing: "The audacity to ask you to remove your photo!"
Another asked: "Was the plane full and were passengers sitting in those seats for take off and landing?
"If they were moved, then it's not really that shocking. If folk were sitting in them for the whole flight, heads will surely roll?"
