A Women’s Health GP Specialist and a breastfeeding mother to twins, Dr. Elise Turner, took to her social media to reveal a shocking incident that happened to her while she was transiting through Melbourne from Perth via Virgin Australia airlines.
On her way home to the Gold Coast on Sept. 15. returning from a medical conference, Turner entered the airline’s business lounge, urgently needing to pump milk. However, what followed was unbelievable for Turner. In a now-expired story on Instagram, Turner revealed how she was approached by the lounge staff, asking her to leave the premises if she wished to pump her breastmilk for her seven-month-old infants.
“This is pretty unbelievable, and I’m beyond furious right now. I’ve been told that I can’t sit here in the Virgin lounge as a paying business class ticket-holder to express breastmilk that sits under my shirt.” (via news.com.au)
When the distressed mother tried to reason with the employee, contending that it is her right to pump in the lounge, she was asked to retreat to the bathroom since it was a “private business lounge.” In response, Turner asked the employee, as she recalled in an interview at 10 News+:
“Would you be comfortable to feed your child in the toilet? Or do you prepare your own lunch in the toilet?”
The staff reportedly told Turner that she’s making everyone “uncomfortable”
Turner also revealed that the only alternative the staff offered was to hire a meeting room for $100. As a licensed doctor, Turner tried to “politely provide education” to the staff, reminding them that the National Sex and Discrimination Act of 1984 protects breastfeeding. However, the staff member simply replied that she was making herself and other people “uncomfortable” and asked her to leave.
“This is just disgusting. This is 2025, and this is the sort of treatment that lactating mothers are expected to deal with.”
Even the staff supervisor approached Turner, only to say, “You can’t do that here.” However, as soon as Turner’s social media post gained traction and she appeared on 10 News+, Virgin Australia apologized for its response to the situation.
Virgin Australia’s apology to Dr. Turner
“We are sorry for the way this situation was handled. It fell short of the high standards of care and customer service our team strives to deliver. We have reached out to our guest today to apologise directly,” Virgin Australia’s statement read. (via news.com.au)
The complete ordeal caught the attention of several women’s rights activists and associations. Australian Breastfeeding Association executive officer Victoria Marshall-Cerins also commented on the matter, saying, “Women may feel more comfortable in a dedicated space, but it is a woman’s right to be able to breastfeed in any public space that she is lawfully able to access.” (via ABC Melbourne radio)
Dr. Turner has also since posted an update video, thanking her supporters and bashing those who criticized her. She also confirmed the verbal apology offered to her by Virgin Australia.
