A woman who went viral online for refusing to give her plane seat for a child detailed how the incident has changed her life.
Jeniffer Castro was a bank employee hailing from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, but gained notoriety on social media after she was filmed deciding to stand her ground onboard a GOL Airlines domestic flight in December 2024 when asked to change seats.
In the video, she can be seen refusing to move as other passengers asked her to move from the window seat where she'd been assigned.
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A crying toddler can also be heard in the back as they wanted to sit there, however, the 29-year-old didn't budge.
The clip sparked several debates online, with some citing plane etiquette while others believed she was within her rights to stay put.
Following the viral incident, she has sued the airline and revealed on the Cola Mais podcast that 'measures are being taken'.
As well as all the attention, Castro also claimed she was forced to quit her career in the aftermath, alleging that she had become the target of several 'attacks', and in the months following the video, the former banker has shared her side of things.
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In an interview with the Daily Mail, Castro admitted that she 'could never have imagined' what was to come after the video, which she said was not filmed by the child's mother but rather another passenger, did the rounds online.
She claimed: “What should have been just an ordinary flight turned into an extremely embarrassing situation, exposing me unfairly and causing consequences that affected both my personal and professional life.
“I was the target of judgments, attacks and speculation from people who don't even know the full story.”
She said that the child cried a lot throughout the short-haul flight, which she said was 'understandable when travelling', even if it was 'uncomfortable'.
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“What surprised me was the fact that a person who had nothing to do with the situation started filming me without permission, insulting me and trying to publicly embarrass me simply because I didn't want to change seats,” she continued.
Admitting that she was in 'complete shock', Castro had no idea that a seemingly 'simple' event could have such a big effect, adding: “Professionally, my life has changed a lot, so much so that today I am no longer in the field I worked in before.
“I was a banker. In my personal life, at the height of the repercussions, I practically didn't leave the house.”
She has luckily landed on her feet though, as the Brazilian has over two million Instagram followers and has secured some brand deals through her newfound fame.
Despite this, she's pressing on with plans to sue GOL airlines for distress and damages, even though flight attendants didn't get involved onboard, as well as the passenger who'd filmed her.
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Castro sited the 'huge embarrassment' as a reason for her suing the airline, highlighting that it 'should never have reached this point'.
"This lawsuit is not just about reparations, but also about setting a limit on this type of behaviour," she explained, clarifying that no action would be taken against the child's mother, only those that 'violated' her privacy.
"We gathered all the necessary evidence and took the appropriate measures against whoever filmed me. We all have rights, and they must be respected, regardless of other people's opinions." she added.
Castro didn't reveal how much she was suing for due to 'judicial secrecy', however, and said that she hopes that this lawsuit will set a new precedent when it comes to public shaming and exposing people against their will.
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LADbible has previously reached out to GOL Airlines for comment.
Topics: Plane Etiquette, Travel, World News
Joshua Nair