United Airlines has hit back with a different story after an American mother claimed she was kicked off a flight after she mistakenly misgendered a flight attendant.
Accidental Pronoun Misuse by United Airlines Passenger
Jenna Longoria went viral for posting a video on Instagram explaining the incident that transpired as she was about to take a flight from San Francisco to Austin on June 26 with her toddler son and her own mother.
In an interview with the New York Post, Longoria said she thanked a flight attendant, who identifies as a woman, and called her "sir" after their boarding passes were handed to them at the boarding gate. Longoria said the staff got upset and prevented her mother from passing through the gate with her.
On board, Longoria told another male flight attendant that "he" (the one at the gate) had held her mother. The second staff seemed surprised that Longoria called the first flight attendant "he" and then pointed out, "She's wearing a dress."
Longoria recounted holding her son, who was crying at that point. She added: "As a mother, my prerogative is to get my son safely on the plane and not what the pronouns that someone goes by."
In the video on Instagram, Longoria admitted not being "very versed with pronouns." Longoria, her son, and her mother were denied boarding the aircraft, which left with their bags and prescriptions on board.
United Airlines Denied Allegations
However, United Airlines told The Post that Longoria and her family were prohibited from boarding after discussing having too many carry-on items, which Longoria said was a lie.
An airline representative told News.com.au that the customers' concerns were addressed, and they completed their journey on a later flight.
United Airlines' website shows the policy on passenger removals. It states that in some cases, refusing or removing a passenger may be essential to ensure the safety of everyone on board, including crew members. If the passenger exhibits conduct that is considered offensive, it might lead to removal, too.
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