Who is Joanna Chiu? Plane passenger kicked off flight for repeatedly going to the toilet

Canadian journalist Joanna Chiu shared her difficult travel experience on social media. She said she was asked to get off a WestJet flight from Mexico after going to the washroom several times before takeoff.

What Happened on the Flight

Joanna explained on her X (formerly Twitter) account that she was recovering from an upset stomach during the trip. She needed to use the toilet often before the plane was ready to depart. Flight attendants noticed this and asked if she was sick. Soon after, she was told to disembark from the flight.

She said there was no hotel provided and no rebooked ticket offered. Joanna described the moment as stressful and embarrassing.

Joanna’s Struggle After Leaving the Plane

In her rush to exit, Joanna left her money with her travel companions. She claimed the airline supervisor also refused to pay for her taxi ride to a nearby hotel. Security staff were called, and she admitted she ended up in tears.

She managed to return home a few days later, but the incident left her frustrated with how the situation was handled.

Advice Joanna Shared With Travelers

After the ordeal, Joanna gave advice for other travelers:

• Check if your destination is known for stomach bugs.

• Always carry probiotics and medicine.

• Keep essentials like wallet, passport, and medication with you in case you are asked to deplane.

• Use offline translation apps such as Duolingo in emergencies.

• If staff treat you unfairly, ask for another staff member to assist.

She even added humor, suggesting that if passengers are questioned, they could simply say they have a small bladder.

Online Reaction

The post received hundreds of comments with mixed reactions.

• Some passengers supported her, saying toilets are made to be used.

• Others, including a former flight attendant, said the airline made the right call because flying sick could affect other passengers.

• A few people criticized Joanna, saying boarding sick was irresponsible.

Who is Joanna Chiu?

Joanna Chiu is a Canadian journalist and author. She is known for her reporting on global affairs, human rights, and China’s influence. She wrote the award-winning book China Unbound: A New World Disorder. Joanna works as a senior reporter for the Toronto Star and often covers sensitive issues on politics and disinformation.