Canadian family outraged as 14-year-old daughter is removed from Toronto flight due to weight imbalance and left stranded overnight

Imagine sending your teenager off on a flight, only to find out later that she was removed from the plane and left stranded.

That’s the unfortunate experience for one family from British Columbia, who are now speaking out about an incident that left their 14-year-old daughter in a difficult situation.

A Sudden Change of Plans

Camryn Larkan, a 14-year-old from Victoria, had been visiting a friend in Toronto and was on her way back home when the unexpected happened.

While seated and ready for departure, a flight attendant suddenly asked her to collect her belongings and leave the aircraft.

Camryn, unsure of what was happening, assumed it was a temporary situation.

“I thought I was just getting my bags taken care of and would return to my seat,” Camryn explained in an interview.

“But once I saw the plane doors close, that’s when I realized I was off the flight for good, and I started to get anxious.”

The reason? A weight imbalance on the plane that required several passengers to be removed since no volunteers had come forward to give up their seats.

Stranded for the Night

Camryn was rebooked on a flight for the following day, but the problem was that she was left to fend for herself.

Her mother, Catherine Larkan, expressed deep concern when she found out what had happened.

“I was completely shocked and worried about her safety,” Catherine shared.

Fortunately, Camryn’s father was still in Toronto, having dropped her off earlier at the airport, and was able to pick her up for the night.

Camryn reflected on how lucky she was to have her dad nearby: “I can’t imagine what I would have done if he wasn’t there. I would have been all alone.”

The Airline’s Defense: A Fee Policy

Porter Airlines, the carrier involved, defended their actions, claiming they were unaware that Camryn was a minor.

They pointed out that the Larkans had not paid the optional $100 unaccompanied minor service fee, which would have ensured Camryn wasn’t removed from the flight.

According to the airline, while children aged 8 to 11 must have this service, it becomes optional for passengers between 12 and 17 years old.

Without paying the fee, Porter Airlines treats those teens as “independent adults,” which means they’re subject to the same conditions as any other passenger, including being deplaned due to weight issues.

The Family Calls for Change

While the Larkans admitted they were unaware of the unaccompanied minor service option, they still believe the airline mishandled the situation.

“They put my daughter in danger,” Catherine stated firmly.

“It was completely negligent, and no other minor should have to experience this.”

Catherine criticized the airline for allowing teenagers to be treated like adults in situations that could potentially put them at risk.

“They’re offering a service that acknowledges some passengers are at higher risk.

To not apply those safety measures unless you pay extra is just absurd,” she added.

The Aftermath and Airline Response

Porter Airlines stated that the passengers removed from the flight were selected based on the type of fare they had purchased.

However, it remains unclear which fare class Camryn’s ticket belonged to.

The airline has since reached out to the Larkan family, stating they are reviewing the situation to prevent similar issues in the future.

This incident has sparked a larger conversation about airline policies, especially those affecting younger travelers.

What’s next for the Larkan family remains to be seen, but the hope is that changes will be made to ensure no one else finds themselves in such a troubling situation again.