Airline bans passenger for refusing to wear face mask
American Airlines has slapped a ban on a passenger who refused to wear a face mask.
Brandon Straka was ordered off a flight at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday, which was bound for Dallas.
American Airlines said the incident had been ‘thoroughly reviewed’ and that Straka ‘will not be permitted to fly American, as he failed to comply with our stated policy and crew member instructions’.
It is not currently US law to wear face masks on flights, but airlines have implemented the policy.
American added: "We are committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our customers and team members, which is why we strengthened enforcement of our policy for required face coverings on board.
"We expect customers who choose to fly with us to comply with these policies, and if necessary, we will deny future travel for customers who refuse to do so.
"Restricting travel is a step we take very seriously, and it will only occur after a comprehensive review of the facts of an incident. Mr Straka will be permitted to fly with us once face coverings are no longer required for customers."
Straka claimed he was asked by a flight attendant if he had a condition that prevents him from wearing a mask, to which he replied: "Sanity."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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