In the latest incident of passenger outrage in the US, an American Airlines passenger claims a gate agent “assaulted” her when she asked why she had been denied boarding on a flight home, despite having an airline-issued ticket.
The Dallas Morning News related the case of passenger Elizabeth Lee, 24, who says American Airlines had previously paid to put her up at a hotel overnight, after a flight delay. The airline had booked her on another flight, departing the following day.
When Lee arrived at the airport next day to board her new flight, she says gate agents told her that her seat was already taken. They wouldn’t let her board. When Lee insisted, the agent allegedly said the jet bridge would be closed without her.
Lee says a male gate agent “assaulted” her by closing the gate door on her, trapping her in the jet bridge.
Lee told the Dallas Morning News the altercation was so distressing it brought her to tears. She phoned the emergency number: 911.
She has since written emails and letters to the airline and filed complaints with the authorities.
American Airlines said in a statement: “Every interaction with a customer or team member should be grounded in respect.
“Our customer relations team has reached out to Ms. Lee to get additional details.”
The incident comes shortly after another dramatic confrontation on a US domestic flight – this one involving Frontier Airlines.
The Frontier Airlines incident saw a mother and her young teenage daughter arrested and removed from a flight after they complained that someone had vomited on their seats and it hadn’t been properly cleaned. See: Video shows how vomit complaint led to passenger’s arrest
Written by Peter Needham
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