Workers at the airline adhered to policy by not allowing a woman on the plane after she underwent a medical procedure.
In an unexpected turn of events, Spirit Airlines denied boarding to a passenger named Shataria Banks at Miami International Airport. Banks was in Florida, recovering from a medical procedure and had received clearance from her doctor to fly.
The airline, however, took an additional step to ensure passenger safety. Spirit Airlines consulted with a designated on-call medical professional via their vendor MedLink to verify Banks' fitness to travel. The medical professional evaluated Banks' condition based on the documentation and advised that she was not fit to travel for safety reasons.
Consequently, the airline prioritized passenger safety over the doctor’s note and declined boarding, refunding her flight instead. Banks was told she wouldn't be able to board her flight at the Spirit Airlines counter.
Banks expressed her displeasure with Spirit Airlines, stating that while she understood the airline's safety concerns, she felt clearer and more consistent protocols were needed for passengers traveling shortly after medical procedures to avoid financial loss and confusion.
The confrontation between Banks and a Spirit Airlines employee was captured on cellphone video. Banks and her husband had to pay for a hotel room due to the incident. Banks later booked on another airline to return home to Texas.
Spirit Airlines stated that the safety and well-being of their guests is their top priority. Despite the incident, Banks was ultimately issued a refund for the Spirit Airlines flight.
It's important to note that Spirit Airlines' policy on travel for individuals with medical clearance involves an independent medical professional assessment beyond just a passenger’s personal physician clearance. The airline uses a third-party vendor (MedLink) for medical consultation when there are concerns. A passenger’s doctor's note may be overridden if Spirit’s medical consultant deems the passenger unfit for travel.
This case demonstrates that Spirit Airlines' policy emphasizes the airline’s responsibility for in-flight safety. Passengers may face inconvenience, and Spirit’s protocols on this matter could benefit from greater transparency and consistency, as highlighted by Banks’ experience.
No direct official written policy text was found in the search results; however, the Banks case gives practical insight into Spirit’s approach in enforcing medical travel restrictions for safety reasons. Banks asked Spirit Airlines employees about their policies, to which they replied they did not have it in writing.
[1] Source: Miami Herald [2] Source: ABC News
- The health-and-wellness of its passengers is prioritized by Spirit Airlines, as demonstrated by their policy of consulting with a designated on-call medical professional to verify a passenger's fitness to travel following medical procedures.
- In light of increasing concerns regarding travel and medical-conditions, a lifestyle change may be necessary for individuals who need to travel shortly after undergoing a medical procedure, as they might encounter unexpected travel restrictions imposed by airlines.
