A 56-year-old woman in the United Kingdom claims she was removed from a Jet2 flight minutes before takeoff due to her type 2 diabetes, according to the Independent. Helen Taylor was preparing to go to Rome with her husband for a romantic vacation on October 2 when she was told she couldn’t fly. Though she boarded the airplane without incident, flight attendants expressed concern about her health after she returned from the restroom dizzy and sweating.
She explained: “I was desperate for the toilet so I asked one of the cabin crew while people were still boarding whether I could go to the loo. She said, ‘Yes no problem’. But when I came out I started to sweat and went a little bit dizzy. The air stewardess saw and asked, ‘Are you alright?”’
”I said, ‘I am perfectly fine. I had just eaten after not eating all day and I have type 2 diabetes, so it is just my blood sugar leveling. All I [needed] is to sit down and have a drink of water and I will be perfectly fine,” she told Chronicle Live.
Mrs Taylor also stated that she was going through menopause and that she would be “right as rain” in a matter of minutes. However, the stewardess informed her that she would have to undergo a medical examination and inquired about her condition.
The attendant returned 10 minutes later and informed the couple that Mrs Taylor would have to exit because she was regarded as a flight risk. “I said,’ What for having diabetes? Do I look ill now?’ and she said, ‘Well actually you don’t,” Mrs Taylor said.
Unwarranted actions lead to apology and refund
The woman then asked to speak with the captain, who agreed she appeared to be fit to fly. He did, however, support the flight attendant’s choice to remove her from the flight. According to the pair, they were then “frogmarched through the airport” and forced to return their duty-free items before being questioned by Border Control.
“I had never heard anything so ridiculous in my life. I cannot believe how we were treated. It was insane. They can’t do this to people,” she fumed.
“They were deciding on unsubstantiated evidence because they were not doctors. Also, they didn’t provide any medical or mobility assistance getting off the plane, on the tarmac, or going through the airport. Or any assistance with the bags. And this is when they said I am unfit to fly,” she added.
Even though the couple received no answer at first, Jet2 subsequently apologized and returned the cost of the trip.
”After liaising with independent medical aviation specialists, our crew took this decision as the health, well-being, and safety of our customers is always our priority. However, after investigating further as a matter of absolute priority, we have been in touch with Ms. Taylor to apologize and to refund her holiday as a gesture of goodwill, ” a spokesperson said.
