Imagine thinking you’re about to board a plane for a trip to Disneyland, only to have the airline remove you from your flight because those around accused you of having lice.
That’s what happened to the Newman family, who was planning to fly from Chicago to Santa Ana, Ca on Friday on a Southwest flight.
The family was waiting to board their flight when the mother noticed something in her daughter’s hair. “There was some dry skin in my daughter’s hair,” the father of two said. “So, she was just kind of taking it out of my daughter’s hair.”
The family was approached by an airline employee about 30 minutes later and removed from the flight. It was never confirmed if the 6-year old girl actually had lice.
In a statement to NBC 5 from Southwest airlines, a representative stated that employees were approached by several customers “…with concerns about a fellow passenger in the gate area exhibiting behavior consistent with a highly contagious medical condition. We never want to inconvenience customers but when we receive concerns from multiple people, we’re obligated to look into them.”
Newman said, “My daughter is hysterical because she thinks this is her fault that she’s not going to Disneyland.”
The family was told that the next available flight they could get on would be two days later. According to the family, they never received an apology for the incident or compensation for their loss. “We don’t even have lice. That’s the crazy thing. Our daughter doesn’t have lice,” Newman has said. “So, why they would do this to us, I have no idea.”
Southwest has stated that the flight was not overbooked and that they are currently working with the family and apologize for any inconvenience.
Source credit: Miami Herald
Photo Credit: AP File Photo
Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
Get started below for your FREE No Obligation Quote.
Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel
For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!
