Cosmetic Surgery Goes Wrong? Woman Barred from Flight Over Changed Appearance
Miami (The Uttam Hindu):– A woman from Houston, Texas, faced an unexpected ordeal at Miami International Airport after being denied boarding by Spirit Airlines, despite having medical clearance following cosmetic surgery. The incident has sparked debate over airline protocols and passenger rights.
The woman, identified as Shataria Banks, had traveled from Houston to Miami last week for a cosmetic procedure. Following her recovery, her doctor cleared her for air travel. Confident and ready to return home, Shataria arrived at the airport, only to be stopped by airline staff, who refused to let her board the flight.
The incident occurred at Miami International Airport, Florida, where Shataria claims she was turned away without proper justification. In a video shared on social media, Shataria is seen expressing her frustration. “I have medical clearance. My doctor gave me permission to fly. Despite this, I was not allowed to board the flight,” she said.
Shataria chose not to disclose details about the specific cosmetic surgery but maintained that she waited until she felt well enough to travel. She added that the decision to return was made with her health in mind and under medical guidance.
Airline Defends Its Decision
In response, Spirit Airlines stated that the decision was made in the interest of passenger safety. "Passenger safety is our top priority. Our records indicate that travel approval must go through Medlink, our medical consultation service. According to their assessment, Shataria was not fit to travel at the time," the airline said in a statement.
Spirit Airlines confirmed that her ticket was fully refunded and emphasized that all medical-related travel decisions are made after consulting professionals.
Passenger Lashes Out
Unhappy with the airline's handling of the situation, Shataria criticized Spirit Airlines, saying that their refusal was unfair and financially burdensome. “Not everyone can afford to book another ticket. Now I will never fly with Spirit again,” she said.
The incident has drawn attention online, with many users questioning whether airlines should override a patient’s personal doctor’s approval and how clearly the rules are communicated to passengers traveling post-surgery.