Airline Drama: Passengers Kicked off Flights

Airlines Kicking Passengers Off Their Flights

Ever been waiting for a flight that was delayed, or wonder why so many flights are delayed in the first place? Though there are plenty of reasons why delays occur, sometimes, it's in regard to a particular passenger. These three stories have sparked debate on social media (and, in some cases, court rooms), as some believe these airlines are the ones at fault for the conflicts.

Three Stories of Passengers Removed From Flights

1. Jet Blue Removes Family After 1-Year-Old Kicks Seat
2. Southwest Airlines Kicks Father and Toddler Off Flight
3. Delta Passenger Kicked Off a Plane After Using Restroom
4. Woman Kicked Off Delta Flight for Not Wearing a Bra

*This article will be updated periodically.

1. Jet Blue Airlines Removes Family After 1-Year-Old Kicks Seat

On June 21^st, 2017, JetBlue was in the news for having a family removed from their flight. The plane was preparing for departure when Eden, the family's 1-year-old girl, kicked the seat in front of her.

According to the family’s attorney, Mandy Ifrah and Tamir Raanan were on a return flight home when Eden's kicking disturbed the female passenger in front of them. This passenger then moved to a different seat after exchanging some harsh words about keeping the baby under control.

Ifrah apologized to the upset passenger and thought the conflict was over–until the flight attendant requested to return to the gate, claiming that Ifrah's family needed to be removed. Ifrah protested, refusing to exit the flight, which resulted in an all-passenger evacuation. Eventually, the police were called in to forcibly remove the family.

Ifrah's family claims they have no idea why they were forced off the flight. However, there are always two sides to a story, and JetBlue claims the words exchanged included profanities and physical threats.

Reason Kicked Off the Plane

The customer got upset, exchanged words, and allegedly made physical threats to another passenger, then refused to exit the flight.

Passenger Response

Ifrah claims the flight departed for New York without them, but took their luggage that contained their baby supplies, clothes, and most of their belongings. The following day they were informed they were banned from all JetBlue flights, and it took a full week to get their luggage back.

Airline Statements

JetBlue reported they removed the family as a safety precaution after physical threats to another customer were made.

Personal Opinion

The family claims they were not informed why they were kicked off and banned from all JetBlue flights. If they truly did physically threaten the female passenger, this seems like a fair consequence.

Also, by refusing to exit the flight, they caused more drama, forcing all passengers to be taken off so police could board and remove the family. Personally, I think that might be a good reason behind being banned. What do you think?

2. Southwest Airlines Kicks Father and Toddler Off Flight

In March 2018, a father and his 2-year-old daughter were removed from the flight because the toddler initially refused to be calm. The incident was captured on video by co-passenger Alexis Armstrong, which was later posted on Facebook.

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In the video, you can hear the flight attendant asking Armstrong to stop filming the event. The video was posted by Armstrong, with the statement “Man kicked off plane with 2-year old because his daughter was scared and not sitting quietly.”

After the toddler was finally sitting calmly for several minutes, another flight attendant requests the father to grab their things and exit the flight. The father did not understand the request as he had already got his daughter to sit calmly.

Another flight attendant appears in the video, stating “the decision has been made,” using the excuse that the father told her to get out of the little girl’s face. However, Armstrong is heard defending the father, stating he “asked to be given a minute to calm his daughter.”

At this point, the flight attendant redirected her focus on Armstrong, telling her the situation “has nothing to do with you, so stop filming”.

Reason Kicked Off the Plane

A 2-year-old was afraid of flying and was not sitting quietly at first. Her father asked for a minute to calm his child.

Airline Response

The flight attendants continued to have the plane returned to the gate to remove the father and his daughter, even though he had gotten her to sit calmly before getting back to the gate.

Personal Opinion

Even as adults, flying can be a scary situation. When you’re a child, especially a 2-year-old, you’re going to voice your fears, regardless of where you are. I believe they should have given the father a couple of minutes (as he requested) to see if he could calm the child prior to having them removed from the flight. In this case, the worst-case scenario would be he was unable to calm her and had to catch another flight.

However, it appears he calmed the child and they continued to kick them from the flight. This screams poor customer service. Although there is the chance of the child acting up mid-flight, these are situations airlines should train their flight attendants to handle more calmly themselves, because anyone could have a panic attack at 35,000 feet–what do they do then?

3. Delta Kicks Passenger Off for Using the Restroom

On April 18th, 2017, Kima Hamilton was kicked off his Delta flight after having to use the restroom while the plane was taxiing.

The report stated that Hamilton had requested to use the bathroom after waiting on the tarmac for 15 to 20 minutes. However, the flight attendant said they would lose their position for departure and would need to take his seat.

After more waiting, he was unable to continue holding it and made a quick trip to the restroom and sat back down. Soon after this, an announcement was made by the pilot that they were returning to the gate to remove a passenger. Once back at the gate, two Delta employees walked up to Mr. Hamilton and informed him he had to exit the flight.

A video was captured by another passenger, Krista Rosolino. Hamilton can be heard explaining he tried to wait but was unable to any longer. At first, he refused to leave his flight, but finally complied, where FBI agents were waiting on him at the gate.

Additionally, all other passengers had to depart from the plane. Delta refused to allow Hamilton to purchase another ticket, forcing him to purchase a ticket from Southwest Airlines at nearly triple the cost.

Mr. Hamilton filed a lawsuit against the airline, stating the color of his skin was a factor in their decision to remove him. More information about the trial can be found here: HAMILTON v. DELTA AIR LINES INC.

Reason Kicked Off the Plane

The man had to pee and couldn’t hold it after 20+ minutes of waiting.

Airline Response

A statement was issued by Delta in regard to both the incident and the lawsuit:

“We provide extensive training to flight crew, ensuring security and safety of all customers. It is important that all passengers follow the FAA regulations and instructions from the crew, including vital times such as takeoff and landing. It was our finding that this customer had not followed these instructions.”

Personal Opinion

It sounds like the plane had been taxiing and waiting for departure for nearly 30 minutes, and was still taxiing when he returned from the restroom. Personally, if they knew it was going to be another 10-minute wait, they could have easily allowed him to quickly use the restroom.

Furthermore, having all passengers exit the plane and securing FBI agents at the gate seems a bit excessive for someone who chose using the restroom over urinating in his seat. But, who knows, maybe Delta would have preferred that route? I know everyone else delayed on their flight probably would have.

4. Woman Kicked Off Delta Flight for Not Wearing a Bra

In January 2024, Lisa Archbold was requested by the flight crew to quietly come with them after everyone had boarded the plane. The plane was flying out from Salt Lake City, UT, to San Francisco, CA. According to Lisa, they gave her two options: She could get off the plane or use a jacket to cover up and take the flight.

Reason Kicked Off the Plane

Supposedly, her outfit was too revealing. The video only shows a screenshot, so it's hard to tell if it was a transparent top or not, but the quote reads off that not wearing a bra with a t-shirt is against Delta policy.

Passenger Response

Lisa, who identifies as gay said the way they went about it made her feel like a criminal for being comfortable. She also obtained a lawyer, but hadn’t taken action as of the video below.

Personal Opinion

If the top was transparent with no bra, I could understand the concern for indecency. However, from the image shown in the video, it is hard to determine that. If it was just because they could tell she was not wearing a bra with a t-shirt, then I think that’s a silly reason to kick someone off a flight after they likely paid $100s for a ticket, went through TSA, and all the waiting.

What Would You Do?

Some claim if they were asked to remove themselves from a flight, they would immediately comply, while others say they would protest if they knew they hadn't done anything wrong.

Whose side are you on? Would you risk a lifetime ban and the evacuation of all other airplane passengers? Or would you obey the flight staff, leave, and book a whole new ticket? Let us know your take in the comments below!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2012 Billy Haynes