Former commercial pilot Mike Cofield recently discussed some incidents at Newark Liberty International Airport on “American Report.”
In a related event, a family was barred from boarding a British Airways flight due to concerns about an insect bite on their baby’s foot. Jonathan Arthur, an expat aged 34, and his 35-year-old wife, Xun Sun, were traveling from Shanghai Pudong Airport to London Heathrow for their wedding.
As they approached the gate, they noticed a bite on their one-year-old son Joseph’s foot and asked airline staff about allergy medication. According to reports, once the staff saw the bite and heard the family mention allergies, they began asking numerous questions.
“We explained his mild peanut allergy,” Jonathan shared, “but the airport’s medical team said they would apply ointment and wait 10 minutes. We were fine with that. But then British Airways insisted we call their medical advice line, thinking it was linked to the peanut allergy.”
The family had even sent photos of the bite to online doctors, who confirmed it as an insect bite. They suggested administering antihistamines to help with the swelling. The bite measured less than 1 cm and faded within 10-15 minutes after applying cream, causing no further discomfort.
“It was really just a swollen bite,” Jonathan remarked.
Despite the bite healing, British Airways insisted that the family could not fly without a doctor’s note declaring Joseph “fit to fly.” Arthur described being escorted from the gate “feeling like a criminal.” They opted to rebook with another airline that didn’t require a medical note.
“It felt like we were being treated like we did something wrong,” he said.
In a statement, British Airways expressed that they prioritize passenger safety. They acknowledged customer dissatisfaction but remained firm that safety is non-negotiable.
Currently, Jonathan and Xun are working with British Airways and booking agencies to secure a refund for their trip.
Jonathan added, “It’s odd that someone in another country—who isn’t a medical professional—can make such a significant decision about our ability to board.” He further commented on the expectation of being treated as a valued customer when paying for services, not as a liability.
