Summary
- Spirit Airlines mistakenly flew a six-year-old boy to the flawed airport throughout the busy holiday travel rush.
- Despite security protocols, the grandmother of the boy was told that he missed his flight.
- Spirit Airlines only offered to reimburse the family for the drive and wouldn’t answer any questions on what happened.
Air travel can often be stressful throughout the busy holiday season and may be difficult for youngsters, particularly for those flying alone. This was true for one unaccompanied minor who Spirit Airlines sent on the flawed flight.
What happened
On Thursday, December 21, throughout the busy holiday travel rush, low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines mistakenly flew a six-year-old boy to the flawed airport. In response to a report first reported by a neighborhood Florida news station WINK News, a six-year-old first-time flyer was flown to the flawed airport tons of of miles away.
Casper was flying to go to his grandmother Maria Ramos in Southwest Florida for the primary time. He was set to fly as an unaccompanied minor on Spirit Airlines from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers. Nevertheless, as an alternative of flying to Fort Myers, the airline put Casper on a flight to Orlando International Airport (MCO), over 200 miles away.
Photo: Carlos Yudica | Shutterstock
Maria, who was waiting on the arrival gate in Fort Myers for Casper, was told that he missed his flight. Despite security protocols, Maria said that she ran contained in the plane and asked the flight attendant if her grandson was on the flight, who replied that there have been no unaccompanied minors on the flight. In an interview with WINK News, Maria described the experience, stating:
“They told me, ‘No, he is not on this flight. He missed his flight.’ I said, ‘No, he couldn’t miss his flight because I even have the check-in tag … I ran contained in the plane to the flight attendant, and I asked her, ‘Where’s my grandson? He was handed over to you at Philadelphia?’ She said, ‘No, I had no kids with me.'”
Employees from Spirit Airlines continued to inform Ramos that Casper missed his flight, though Ramos received a check-in tag from Casper. As this unfolded, Maria said Casper called her, saying he had landed. Nevertheless, Casper had arrived not at Fort Myers but as an alternative in Orlando.
Two relations set out to satisfy Casper, hopping within the automobile for the four-hour trip to Orlando. Nevertheless, although Casper didn’t make it to Fort Myers, his bag in some way did. In response to Maria, Spirit Airlines only offered to reimburse her for the drive and wouldn’t answer any questions on what transpired.
Photo: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock
In a press release from a Spirit Airlines spokesperson to View From The Wing, the airline noted:
“On Dec. 21, an unaccompanied child traveling from Philadelphia (PHL) to Fort Myers (RSW) was incorrectly boarded on a flight to Orlando (MCO). The kid was all the time under the care and supervision of a Spirit Team Member, and as soon as we discovered the error, we took immediate steps to speak with the family and reconnect them. We take the protection and responsibility of transporting all our Guests seriously and are conducting an internal investigation. We apologize to the family for this experience.”
Unaccompanied minors
Spirit Airlines and all other US carriers offer an unaccompanied minor service for an additional fee. The unaccompanied minor services airlines provide are mandatory for youngsters between 5 and 14 traveling alone. Spirit Airlines allows unaccompanied minors between the ages of 5 and 14 to travel domestically in the US on its flights.
Unaccompanied Children On Flights: What You Need To Know
Many airlines as of late offer programs for minors traveling independently
After the check-in process, through which an adult checks the kid in for the flight, a cabin crew member will guide them through security after which onto the aircraft. Minors may board early to get settled before the remainder of the passengers board. It is suggested for fogeys or guardians to remain on the airport until the aircraft has departed, just in case the flight is unable to depart. Once the plane lands at its destination, a cabin crew will guide them to the arrivals hall to their parent or guardian. Although the identical rules and regulations apply to all airlines offering chaperoned services, the extent of service may vary.