A family were booted off a flight after cabin crew claimed their baby looked “feverish” – but the tot’s mum insisted she was just crying.
Sydney Tash was left furious after she, her partner and their three children were removed from the plane.
The registered ICU nurse said staff believed her baby daughter Ellie was too ill to fly because her face appeared flushed and rash-like.
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But Sydney insists the redness was simply caused by Ellie crying after throwing a tantrum shortly after boarding.
The clip of the ordeal went viral online, racking up a huge 4.2 million views and more than 291,000 likes.
“We had a horrible experience from start to finish,” Sydney, from Lafayette, Indiana, told Whats The Jam.
“They told us we were reported for our baby appearing feverish by a flight attendant and that she had a rash.
“It was handled unprofessionally, no one would talk to us.
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“I couldn’t even talk to a supervisor in person; they just handed me a phone.
“Even customer service on the phone all they kept saying was there’s nothing they could do.”
Sydney said Ellie cried continuously for the first three minutes after boarding – just as a flight attendant came over to recheck their boarding passes and documents.
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The family were then told their baby appeared “feverish” and had a rash.
Despite raising concerns with customer service, they were forced to leave the aircraft.
The incident happened on an Allegiant Airlines flight on 27 March from Punta Gorda, Florida, to Indiana.
Sydney added: “What I want people to understand is that people are entitled to a childless life, but not a child-free world.
“My kids will be on planes, in restaurants, and at stores.
“They deserve to experience the world and I’m not keeping them home just because you don’t want kids around.”
Allegiant Airlines said the family were rebooked onto another flight 12 hours later.
However, Sydney claims the airline’s policy is to wait 24 hours if a passenger is suspected of being ill.
A spokesperson for Allegiant Airlines said: “We are aware of the situation involving Mrs. Tash and her family traveling on Allegiant flight 608 from Punta Gorda to Indianapolis on March 27 and understand that travel disruptions, especially those involving families, can be frustrating.
“Our crews are responsible for making real-time decisions that prioritize the safety and well-being of all passengers on board.
“If a crew member has concerns about a passenger’s ability to travel, especially when an infant or potential medical issue is involved, they may pause boarding to consult our medical information service provider, MedLink.
“Allegiant does not make medical diagnoses, and flight attendants are not medical professionals.
“MedLink connects flight crews directly to aviation-trained emergency medicine physicians with extensive experience managing in-flight medical events.
“In this instance, our crew consulted MedLink after observing symptoms that raised concern, which is standard procedure and consistent with industry practice across many airlines when a passenger health issue arises.
“Based on the information available, MedLink advised that it was not in the child’s best interest to continue travel.
“The family was rebooked on a later Allegiant flight and provided accommodations intended to help ease the disruption to their travel plans.”
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