A US mother is demanding an apology after she said she was kicked off an American Airlines flight because her 2-year-old son refused to wear a face mask.
Rachel Starr Davis said while she was boarding a flight to Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, a flight attendant told her her son Lyon would be required to wear a face covering.
Currently, due to COVID-19 restrictions, face masks are compulsory on American Airlines flights except for children under 2 years old.
"I told her this is our fourth American Airlines flight this week, and he has never been asked to wear a mask," Davis said in an Instagram post.
"She informed me my overtired 2-year-old son would need to comply with their company policy or we would be asked to leave the aircraft."
Davis said despite the flight attendant giving her the "nastiest smug look" and making her uncomfortable, she wanted to adhere and tried to get Lyon to put on a mask.
"I tried repeatedly, begged him, bribed him, pleaded with him, did everything I could while he was screaming and crying as I tried to hold him and put the mask on, feeling my absolute lowest of lows as a mother."
She said the flight attendant talked to the pilot who ordered all passengers off the plane and then re-board but without Davis and her son.
Davis said she was left balling her eyes out, hyperventilating and desperate to get home.
"This is the world we live in? This is not a mask debate. This is a 'be a god damned human' debate," she said.
The family ended up on a flight later that night but Davis said she would never fly with American Airlines ever again after the incident.
The Portsmouth Herald contacted the airline who said they were reaching out to the family.
"Policies are enforced and approved face coverings are made available at key points throughout the customer journey," said American Airlines spokeswoman Gianna Urgo.
"We've reached out to the family to learn more about their recent travel experience and to address their concerns."
