A husband and wife boarded their flight on American Airlines from Charlotte to Jacksonville along with their 4 year old and 2 year old and two grandparents. American kicked them off because their two year old wouldn’t keep her mask on. They had no issue on their inbound flight, just their onward connection. And the woman says her daughter was eating, which is allowed.
American Airlines staff in Charlotte reportedly threatened to ban the whole family from the airline. American, though, tells me that “The family is not banned from flying with American if they are willing to comply with our face covering requirements for future flights.”
Leshinsky said her daughter, Makenna, was eating a snack when the flight attendant asked if she had a mask.
“My daughter was literally chewing,” Leshinsky said. “The stewardess said, ‘you are going to have to put her mask on.’ I said, ‘I will as soon as she’s done eating.’”
Leshinsky said they tried getting Makenna to put on the mask, but she wasn’t having it.
“She would leave it on for a little bit and then she’d take it off because she wanted to eat, and we would keep trying to put it on. We were bribing her,” Leshinsky said.
Leshinsky said the crew brought a Federal Air Marshal on board to talk to the family.
According to American Airlines, they “offered to rebook the family on another flight to Jacksonville.” They family, though, says they “suggested we all get back on the plane but leave [their two year old] at the airport.” They rented a van for the six hour drive home.
American says they’ve refunded the Charlotte – Jacksonville segment of the family’s tickets.
@AmericanAir all for a two year old! pic.twitter.com/mwNMUaVJ2e
— Briana Leshinsky (@breelee93) December 29, 2020
According to an American Airlines spokesperson,
American Airlines requires all customers age 2 and older to wear face coverings at airports and on board aircraft to keep all customers and team members safe. This policy is based on CDC recommendations due to the safety risk of asymptomatic COVID-19 transmission. Our professional flight attendants try to work with parents of young children and recognize ongoing compliance efforts when families are traveling with us.
Our customers overwhelmingly support and follow this policy and have been clear that they feel more safe when everyone is wearing a face covering.
This isn’t the first time that American kicked a two year old off a flight for not wearing a mask. American’s policy, at least, is clear: “A face covering is required while flying on American, except for children under 2 years old.” Although masks can come down briefly while eating.
United Airlines kicked a two year old off a flight this month for not being willing to wear their mask even though United’s published policy said that masks are required for children over two.
I’m in favor of mask-wearing, though most of the masks people wear aren’t very good. They may offer limited source protection. Travelers should make an effort to wear better masks. I’m not in favor of kicking off families whose two year olds can’t wear masks. The preponderance of evidence highly suggests that the risk of spread from a two year old is very low.
Families with young children should fly Delta Air Lines which exempts young children unable to wear masks for their facial coverings requirement.
Airlines are trying to survive…..
They are doing what they can to cut cost and routes, as I seen on the news.omething is wrong!
But when people buy a $25, and expect first class service. I’m not talking about customer service.. The airlines are barely able to cover the operating cost with the flights. While try to make a profit.
Everyone looks for the cheapest fares, but expect first class service for no charge.
Bashing the airlines doesn’t help. If they can survive and go out of business, then you 2 hour flight just become a 2 day drive.
@George hromadka – So a child is raised at 2 years old? Wow! It took my kids a little longer to get raised. Your family must have amazing parenting skills. So where are your nephews working if they are raised? Or have they gone off to college? Children learn how to behave by being in public.
Your post doesn’t make any sense.
Really kick a 2 yr old child off simply because they dont know the severity of wearing a mask that covers your mouth and nose as to where it feels like you’re literally going to pass out from overheating from the mask and yeah so nice to pick on a 2 year old child…I have actually witnessed a flight attendant pass down the aisle multiple times where a grown man had been sitting with his mask under his nose the whole time…not once had she addressed him..so either she wasnt checking like they are trained to do or she just didnt care
Leave the child alone..maybe suggest child face shields instead of a mask..(CDC) and seat them in the last row
$25 tickets? Must have missed those. The airlines don’t make money right now because of COVID-19 and news flash. There are millions of business’s out there not making any money right now because of COVID-19 but they don’t get to feed at the public trough. Also airline labor costs are too high. They have allowed the unions to push them into labor costs that are not sustainable. F/A;s should make minimum wage, nothing more and work for tips as most waitresses do. And the airlines, for the most part, have not given 1st class service in decades.
Have we had enough of this silliness yet? How many people on that United flight a few weeks ago got Coronavirus from the dead guy? How about the medic who claimed he got it after giving the man CPR?? It turned out to be BS. He never caught the virus…..didn’t see that reported too many places did you…
@ Chris – I had heard that the paramedic had claimed he caught it but I didn’t hear that it was a false claim. But I’m with you, there is a lot of silliness in this. When Dawn Wells died from “complications from COVID-19” my first thought was “oh no” and then I thought, geez, I watched her as a kid, how old was she? God bless her, but she was 82. A very lovely lady indeed but at 82 indigestion can kill you. I feel for everyone who loses a loved one, I’ve lost all of my immediate family, but the cold hard fact of life is we are all going to die someday. Don’t know when, or from what, but it will happen. If you’re at high risk you should take every precaution possible. If not, it’s up to you, but we need to get the economy open and people back to work or COVID-19 will seem like a walk in the park.
If she is 2 years old she need to wear a mask, I guess people don’t understand under 2 years means.
I don’t want to sit near your annoying two year old under any circumstances. If your spoiled brat won’t wear a mask keep it home.
leave your super spreader kid at home. You sound like you disregard others health because your kid is spoiled
@Kay: Unfortunately, it’s for an appearance before government authorities in a foreign country so there’s no choice in the matter. Both of us have to go unfortunately and we cannot leave the child behind in the States as there’s no one to care for her. European and Asian airlines are a little more understanding about 2 year olds and masks. Even Delta is better in this regard. BTW, this is ultra longhaul (24 hours door to door) so I don’t think we can control our daughter’s mask wearing for that long. A negative PCR test result should have been offered as an alternative to mask wearing.
Make Flying Great Again
Keep the snot nosed brats and gate lice at home under quarantine.
They have to worry about the guy behind the family planning on suing AA because they allowed a passenger to fly without wearing mask. I understand the families frustration but I bet the flight attendant didn’t want to lose her job as well.
FatLip it seems that the lice have successfully invaded your cranium.
OneXMarine- it appears you like to pick apart everyone’s viewpoints. I have a couple for you… 1) you must be a grumpy old man sitting in front of a keyboard all day waiting to pounce, and 2) who died and made you God?
I 100% support AA on this… The people flying right now have no idea how to behave on an airplane during normal times, and it’s chaos during COVID. These families need to stay home, or get their shit together when they fly. I’ve been on so many flights since June where families or individuals hold up ever other person on that flight.
Just wear the masks, and try not to eat/drink. If you do have to eat/drink take your mask off and out it right back. So many people try to chill with an empty water bottle to get out of wearing a mask… It’s not a hassle, it’s barely noticeable, and if you can’t handle it don’t fly. The FAs have enough to deal with, they don’t need a bunch of grown toddlers arguing about mask rules.
Airlines are getting out of control trying to abuse the powers they have now… dear stewardess when the airlines will cut more staff due to dying industry at the moment don’t cry then.. had a loose dog next to me in a upgraded seat on a JetBlue flight according to staff it was a service dog and nothing they can do in my opinion it can transmit more diseases then the 2 year old in this story the owner should habe have kept it on his lap instead of letting it stroll between my feet or aisles at least the 2 year didnt get in contact with other passengers onboard this dog did.. but again flight attendants and staff are feeling themselves these days thinking they have upper powers for a change.. karma is a bitch wait for you le day!! (There are very nice flight attendants as well but im sleaking for the ones that are taking advantage now feeling themselves with upper powers like the one baning a freaking 2 year old for life) and for the haters saying the kid should have listened sounds like you either dont have kids or a happy life unfortunately and i wish you to find happiness asap and a better 2021 then 2020!
If you are that scared a 2 year okd not wearing a mask will kill you then don’t fly in this pandemic i got news for you sitting and sharing an armrest with a stranger wearing a mask can be worse
American Airlines sucks! I just took two flights and they aren’t even blocking out middle seats like most airlines are doing to protect against covid 19! Fly southwest and they are blocking out middle seats! This airline does not care about COVID 19. I had a horrible experience both times in the last two weeks! Rude staff and they are booking every flight to max capacity !
How is United’s policy not clear? This is the same as it was a few weeks ago when I checked on the policy.
Your safety is our priority
Currently, we’re requiring United travelers to wear a face covering during their entire flight and in the airport, including at United customer service counters and kiosks, United Club℠ locations, our gates and our baggage claim areas. Children younger than 2 years old are exempt. This new policy is a part of our United CleanPlus℠ commitment, which puts health and safety at the forefront of your travel experience. Through this commitment, we’re teaming up with Clorox to redefine our cleaning and disinfection procedures and working with the experts at Cleveland Clinic to advise us on policies that prioritize your well-being. See how we’re taking care of you throughout your travels – from check-in to landing.
Are you serious? Lol kids are the ultimate virus spreaders lol.
Aside from the policy issue itself, it is just astonishing to see all the child-haters on here who have no clue about the development stage of a poor two-year-old.
And while I personally am privileged enough to be able to work from home and more or less shelter in place, not all people can. There could be a myriad reasons why people travel during these times – I’m not judging them, and neither should you.
At 2 years old she should be able to keep her mask on. This is a lack of parenting and teaching their child they must obey and follow directions. I see young child everyday wearing their masks as directed by their parents with no problem. If a child is taught to behave and rules enforced with expectations or consequences, the child will learn to obey. This is a situation where the Child is in charge and gets what they want!
There is no right to fly. If a child is not developmentally mature enough to adhere to rules, then they can’t fly. No one else is required to bend or change the rules, or accommodate bad behavior just because their parents want to travel.
Gary
You deleted my comment…not nice! (I wasn’t being rude either) Anyway, Happy New Year
Regardless of whether anyone agrees with the policy, passengers agree to the policy both when they purchase the tickets and at check-in. If you are purchasing a ticket for a two year old, a three year old or any small child who is not accustomed to wearing a mask, be prepared to possibly be asked to deplane if the child chooses an inopportune moment to not want to wear the mask. It’s as simple as that. At this point, because all US airlines that I’m aware of have a mask policy, opinions do not matter. Know the policy and prepare to follow the policy before buying a ticket.
My wife is in healthcare. Very close contact with patients. Now very I’ll with covid which even the workplace acknowledges as workplace exposure… People, please stop being so self centered… Many claim a right to ‘my body my choice’ then run for help and put others at risk helping them . SHAME on those thoughtless people…. It is terribly astonishing how many people show so little concern for others…
Parents, going to take a flight with a child? Practise and get them accustomed to a mask before taking a flight… Stop risking the health of others…. Stop your complaints when people like you put my wife’s life at risk having to take care of your reckless behavior…. REAL RISK… Infected… Seriously… Not doing well… My kids could be without a mom soon…
Tom and Jed, you sound like the grumpiest old men and too old to fly, so toy should stay home and let young ones fly without your negativeness
As an American Airlines flight attendant I’m so sorry to read about this situation. I absolutely do not care if a small child wears a mask. It’s insane to expect a small child to keep a mask on an entire flight. I look the other way when it comes to small children. Parents are in charge of they’re child, not myself. Transmission rate from a child is basically zero. Adults acting like children, that’s another story. Wink;)
No reason for families to fly around with their children during a pandemic.
I applaud the airlines for enforcing the rules that might make us a little safer.
Stay home unless you are traveling for emergency reasons.
I’ve worked for the airline and I can tell you two things she is claiming are false. Since she is making these false claims the rest of her story is probably exaggerated too. First, passengers aren’t separated from their luggage if they have medicine. Carry on luggage with medicine will be allowed on board even when carry on isn’t. Second, the claim that anyone would suggest a child be left behind is ridiculous. UnAccompanied minors (UAM) are a serious thing and passenger counts are verified numerous times. Eating is permitted but if she was thinking that her child can snack the whole flight without her mask that’s not the way it works. Other passengers would quickly attempt the same excuse.
Panic over a little 2 year old? Be careful with rules and enforcement. After making an AA flight recently it is clear that masks are being worn but there is almost no personal distancing in the airport TSA security (also seen being rude toward a special needs adult) line, boarding, deplaning, or movement. No temperature checks and it looked to be near capacity in both the originating and connection airports. Constant reminders announced over the terminal PA seemed almost afterthought with every tiny seat filled on and off airplanes. Terminal services are cleaning trash and bathrooms but after only 10 minutes 6 different persons had occupied the same seat in the overcrowded terminal where I opted to stand. I am glad people are wearing masks but the odds are never zero even with that. Except on TV, the fhe fear of the 2 y.o. is unfounded considering the Petri dish one wades thru to get to a plane.
You know there is no way that American told them they should get back on the plane and leave the two year old behind alone at the airport. Obviously the family is lying about that, which raises the question about what else are they lying about. Keep in mind these are people who decided to travel for the holidays in a pandemic from a state which has one of the highest covid case counts in the country. FA’s don’t routinely call for air marshals or whatever and I note in other media articles this woman claims most of the plane was against her and was insulting her etc. They apparently had to have everyone deplane so it looks like she decided to make the situation much worse, which also calls into question her credibility. Also, the argument that children don’t spread the virus isn’t a settled question. The new variant, which has been found in Florida by the way, appears to be much more easily transmissible in children. In addition the airline did in fact refund the portion of the trip they did not fly.
@Marco they were engaging in non-essential holiday travel. Nice try though.
Why are people still surprised/outraged by this? The rules are clear and you are not special. It’s quite simple. If you, or your family can’t or won’t comply, don’t fly. Control your brats!
Nobody cares! Time for you to get off from your high horse.
I just flew American first class to LasVegas. It was wonderful. The guidelines for Covid are set in stone before you purchase a ticket if you don’t want to follow them Don’t fly Why would you jeopardize your child’s life on an airplane right now ? Stay Home
It sickens me how cruel this world has become that we demand a 2 year to wear a mask. First of all two years can not comprehend that the need to keep a mask on never mind a 3 year old. As an early child educator the development for two year old or three year old does not have the capabilities to keeping a mask on. This is a ridiculous rule.
@Chris – I didn’t delete any comments in this thread
The lady lied, the family got a refund on the flight they didn’t fly. I just flew AA it was great. You can eat on the plane, just not the whole flight!!! Rules are rules it’s simple, in which you know ahead of time. Don’t like it don’t fly. If I was the parent I would have practiced at home keeping the mask on and pretending we were flying. And if it didn’t work I wouldn’t have flied or get a babysitter!!!!
Who is the parent here…. U put the mask in the child and hold her if necessary. Rules are rules. That kid could be the Covid Carrier…. But in the same breath she’s 2 no need to deplane the whole plane…
And yet when I flew American in early November, First Class, the 2 gentlemen on the other side ofnthe aisle took off their masks to drink and eat..for the entire flight. No one said anything to them. They should know better..Plus we were never questioned about symptoms or had our temps taken. Consistency might help…
Trolls are pathetic!! She clearly said the reason why her 2 yr old wouldn’t keep the mask on is because she was TRYING TO EAT!!… obviously kids are kids when they are hungry they gotta eat! So No! Let somebody tell me to stop feeding my 2 yr old I will gladly ask for my refund cuss you tf out then unboard so my child can eat!
AA is ignorant and should be ashamed of themselves for not having common sense when it comes to a 2 year old child!!! My son is 21 months and is Autistic and he doesn’t understand what a mask is! A CHILD 2 years of age usually aren’t even potty trained….. yet you expect them to understand keeping a mask on!!! RIDICULOUS!! I hope you lose customers because if this!!! I fly a lot and i have recently flown with my child who isn’t required to wear one right now. However, after hearing how your kicking families off of the plane is sad…and I will never fly with you company again!!! DELTA who obviously understands that children and disabled people who don’t understand what’s going on shouldn’t be penalized! AND…. to all the idiots that are talking about “spoiled brat” 2year olds should wear a mask…you obviously don’t have kids…which is a good thing!!! SMH….
How entitled. Rotten parents. Ruins it for the whole flight.
Ban them for life.
@ Thoma s Sherman – I’m old but I don’t think I’m grumpy. And I don’t sit in front of a keyboard all day. I spend 12 – 14 hours a day running my companies. I’m entitled to my opinion as you are yours. In this case I just happen to believe that AA is in the wrong and the sooner AA is gone from the face of the earth the better off the country and aviation will be.
@C Thoughts and prayers for your wife, yourself and your children. People need to understand the gravity of this pandemic. More people are dying every single day from complications of COVID19 now than died on 9/11. I remember how I felt that day and feel the same every time John Hopkins releases the number of deaths and new cases each day. Our hospitals are being overwhelmed and our front line health care workers put their own lives at risk everyday to help save others. We need to work together to end this ongoing tragedy. Stay home if you can. When you can’t, wear a mask out of respect for others, for your own safety and for your own family. Wash your hands often. Keep your distance. Be kind.
So many people siding with the mega corporation here… and saying that all their fronline workers should be paid less so that the company can be more profitable…? Excuse me? Really?
Here’s some news for you all: Corporations aren’t your friends. They don’t give 2 sh**s about you.
If airlines aren’t profitable… maybe it’s because of overpaid executives and shareholders… not because of flight attendants who make slightly more than minimum wage.
Like seriously… do people forget that American Airlines executives were still paid 10-12 million dollars… every year! And that American Airlines spent billions on a stock buyback program to artificially inflate their stock prices just before the pandemic! Seriously… in 2019… instead of using their surplus to prepare for a disaster… American Airlines did a stock buyback program that cost them $12.4 billion! For perspective… scientists have been talking about how a panemic-capable virus is eventually going to form… for decades! That’s why there was a pandemic plan put in place under the Obama administration… which was defended by Trump.
In short… I have no sympathy for a corporation that made such a dumb mistake and is being run by greedy idiots. Most corporations in America are run by greedy idiots. It’s why we were so vulnerable to covid19!
Corporations suck and they aren’t your friend!
I think it’s ridiculous for them to kick a two year old for not wearing a mask she was eating she could have choked then what would have the airline done.
I must assume AA only enforces the Mask rule when the wind is blowing correctly!
I was on a flt from DFW to BAL on the 30th. I called the flt attendent multiple times on three people across the aisle with their mask down. Each time the attendant told them to pull up their mask. Over seven times but NOT Once was there anything more done.Even after speaking with the whole attendant team at the same time. “Pull up your mask” was it‼️
And once the attendant was gone, down comes the mask.
American Airlines did the right thing only when n people realize that they have to wear their mask to protect other people even if they’re idiots themselves will it start to be safe. Zero tolerance for narcissistic non/maskers