Spirit Airlines Removes Family with Two-Year Old Child For “Non-Mask Compliance”

Spirit Airlines removed a family of four after the airline’s attendant informed the father of an alleged mask violation. The alleged violation was that their youngest child who had just turned two, was not wearing a mask.

The father, who is visibly upset, asked for clarification on who the violation was in regards to which the attendant didn’t initially answer. The flight attendant finally confirmed to the man that it was his two-year old child that the non-compliance complaint was against. 

In the video the child can be seen quietly eating on the mother’s lap during the conversation between the parents and flight attendant.

WATCH THIS: A family was just kicked off a @SpiritAirlines flight from Orlando to NY, because their two-year-old child who was eating, wasn’t wearing a mask. The mother is 7 months pregnant, and they have a special needs child. The entire flight was deplaned. pic.twitter.com/dcjLIEbDfA

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 5, 2021

The family was allowed a second chance, however, and later boarded a flight to Atlantic City. A Spirit spokesman said: “We have allowed the guests to continue on the flight to their destination after assurances of compliance.”

The World Health Organization says children aged five years and under are not required to wear masks. Also, the CDC states that a mask can briefly be removed while eating, drinking, or taking medication – which the toddler was doing at the time.

Like other major U.S. carriers, Spirit Airlines began requiring face coverings on flights during the coronavirus pandemic in May 2020. This was not the first incident for the Airline company to demand a child’s removal for a non-mask compliance complaint. 

Last month, an Arkansas family traveling with their four-year-old child with autism was removed for the same reasons.

Spirit Airlines denied service to the Arkansas family after their 4-year-old child, who is non-verbal and has autism, could not wear their face mask.

The child had a medical note stating that he was exempt from wearing masks. His mother, Callie Kimball, told CBS Little Rock affiliate KTVH-TV of her son, Carter. Callie said she told the airline that Carter would also “harm himself” if forced to wear a face mask, reportedly because he holds his breath, the report suggests.

All airlines say their policies align with US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.