Virgin Australia apologises after doctor told to pump breastmilk in bathroom

An Australian doctor is calling out Virgin Australia after she was told she was not allowed to pump breastmilk in the airline lounge.

Dr Elise Turner was approached by an airline service manager while she was pumping milk for her 7-month-old twins.

In a video uploaded to her Instagram, Dr Turner said she was told to leave after refusing to relocate to the bathroom of the Melbourne business lounge, News.com.au reports.

“I am beyond furious right now. I have been told that I cannot sit here, in the Virgin lounge, as a paying business class ticket holder, to express breastmilk that sits under my shirt,” she said.

“This is just disgusting in 2025, and this is the kind of treatment lactating mothers have to deal with.”

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Dr Turner told 10 News that airline staff asked her to move because she was making other people in the lounge “uncomfortable”.

“There was the option of a meeting room, which I was given the option to hire for $100, or I could use the bathrooms.”

Emily Carrolan, the manager of Breastfeeding Friendly Australia, said that by removing Dr Turner, the airline could be in breach of the law.

Under the Sex and Discrimination Act 1984, it is illegal to discriminate against breastfeeding women when providing goods and services in Australia.

“Mothers should never be made to feel unwelcome or excluded, and service providers like airlines have a clear responsibility to uphold these rights,” Carrolan said.

In a statement to News.com.au, the airline said it was “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.”

Dr Turner confirmed the airline contacted her with an apology and informed her they were investigating the incident.