Airline Apologises After Birmingham Woman Left "Shaking And Upset" On Flight
14 March 2019, 16:31 | Updated: 14 March 2019, 16:32
Thomas Cook has apologised and said it "could have handled the situation better" after a passenger complained of being left "shaking and upset" when she was allegedly told to cover up on a flight.
Emily O'Connor claimed cabin crew on the Birmingham to Tenerife flight told her she would be removed from the aircraft as her outfit was "inappropriate" and "caused offence".
Miss O'Connor, 21, took to Twitter to complain about how she was treated and posted a picture of what she wearing - a bralet and high-waisted trousers.
She said the flight manager and four staff surrounded her and threatened to remove her from the plane unless she put a jacket on.
"It was the worst experience of my life."@emroseoconnor from #Birmingham has been speaking to #HeartNews after she was told to "cover up" on a flight to Tenerife. @ThomasCookUK have since apologised - saying they "could have handled the situation better." pic.twitter.com/oMrUzLnSmc
— Heart West Midlands News (@HeartWMidsNews) March 14, 2019
Miss O'Connor, from Birmingham, also said staff "did nothing" when a male passenger shouted at her: "Shut up you pathetic woman. Put a jacket on."
She tweeted: "I was given a jacket by my cousin sitting at the front of the plane and they did not leave until I physically put it on.
"They made comments over the speaker about the situation and left me shaking and upset on my own."
A spokesman for Thomas Cook said the airline was "sorry" to have upset Miss O'Connor.
He said: "It's clear we could have handled the situation better.
"In common with most airlines, we have an appropriate clothing policy. This applies equally to men and women of all ages without discrimination.
"Our crews have the difficult task of implementing that policy and don't always get it right."
The airline said its policy states customers wearing "inappropriate attire (including items with offensive slogans or images) will not be permitted to travel unless a change of clothes is possible".
