A Texas woman recently shared her experience with Spirit Airlines, claiming she was denied boarding due to safety issues linked to cosmetic surgery she had completed just days earlier.
Despite medical clearance from her doctors, Shataria was not allowed to board her flight at Miami International Airport on July 23.
She expressed frustration, saying, “Even if my medical clearance is there, even if my doctor clears me, you still limit me from flying,” during an interview with CBS News Miami.
Shataria recorded part of her challenging interaction with a Spirit agent. In the footage, she questions the agent, “So, um, do you all have that policy online before you book?” The agent responded, citing safety procedures to follow.
The discussion continued until Spirit employees reiterated, “It’s about your safety.”
While the specific cosmetic procedures Shataria underwent weren’t disclosed, she mentioned that she had been recovering for several days before attempting to fly back to Houston.
“I understand they might be looking out for safety, but it feels unfair when people can’t afford to waste money on a new flight,” she remarked.
She claimed she was given a sort of “flight certificate” supposedly written by a doctor, stating that she was fit to travel.
Spirit Airlines maintained that she was “not suitable for a trip” at the time of check-in.
The airline emphasized to the outlet that “the safety and happiness of our guests are our number one priority.”
Medlink, a medical advisory service, was involved in the case, facilitating connections between emergency physicians and passengers when needed, according to their website.
In their statement, Spirit indicated that Medlink professionals reviewed Shataria’s documentation and determined she wasn’t fit for travel based on her condition, and ultimately she was issued a refund for her flight.
