In yet another incident that could prove a public relations nightmare for the US airline industry, a California couple is claiming they were kicked off an overbooked Delta flight for refusing to give up their child’s seat.
The incident unfolded last week as the Schear family of Huntington Beach were flying home from Hawaii to Los Angeles.In a video of the April 23 confrontation filmed and posted by the couple on YouTube, a flight attendant is overheard asking that they give up a seat occupied by their two-year-old son.
The father, Brian Schear, initially refuses on grounds the seat was paid for but finally relents. He is nonetheless booted off the flight with his wife and two toddlers.
“This is a federal offense and then you and your wife will be in jail and your kids will be in foster care,” a crew member is overheard telling Mr Schear when he first refuses to disembark.
Delta airlines said in a statement that the company was “sorry for the unfortunate experience” and had reached out to the family to refund their travel and offer compensation. Mr Schear said the family had to scramble to find a hotel room after being kicked off the plane and paid $2,000 day for another flight.
