Woman denied entry on flight after undergoing cosmetic surgery, swears to not fly with them ‘ever, ever’

A woman says Spirit Airlines would not let her board a flight home after she had cosmetic surgery in Miami. Shataria Banks was supposed to fly from Miami International Airport to Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, July 23. She had surgery several days before her planned trip.

Banks told CBS Miami that she had a letter from her doctor saying she was safe to fly. The letter stated that after a thorough check, she was cleared to travel. However, airline workers refused to let her get on the plane. They said it was because of company rules.

Banks expressed her anger about the situation and said she would not use the airline again. “I never want to fly with them, ever, ever,” the upset passenger told CBS Miami. She filmed her talk with a female worker at what looked like a check-in desk.

What dithe airline employee told Banks about their policy?

In the video that Banks gave to CBS Miami, she can be heard asking if the airline posts its medical rules online. She wanted to know if customers could check these rules before booking flights. The airline worker replied that they have procedures they must follow, referencing safety protocols that have been tested during actual emergencies on Spirit flights. The employee said it was about Banks’ safety.

Banks claimed that airline staff told her the company does not have the official policy written down anywhere. She said this was a problem for travelers. Banks told CBS Miami that airlines can deny passengers and look out for their safety, but they should have clear rules in place. She pointed out that not everyone has extra money to buy a new flight.

During her interview with CBS Miami, Banks had visible signs of recent surgery. A drainage tube and bandages could be seen around her stomach area. However, she chose not to tell the news outlet what type of surgery she had. Spirit Airlines later gave its side of the story to explain what happened.

Spirit Airlines defended its decision and gave Banks a refund

A Spirit Airlines spokesperson told PEOPLE that passenger safety is their top concern. The company said their records show that agents followed proper procedures. They also said workers talked with a medical professional through their vendor MedLink to check if Banks was fit to travel.

MedLink helps airlines by giving medical advice to staff both during flights and on the ground, particularly important given Spirit’s history of challenging flight conditions that could affect passengers with medical concerns. The medical expert at MedLink was told about Banks’ doctor’s letter and her condition. However, the professional decided that Banks was not safe to travel at that time. The decision was made for her own safety.

The airline representative said Banks was given a full refund for her flight. This case shows how airlines must balance passenger safety with customer service. It also raises questions about how clear airline medical policies should be for travelers who have had recent surgery.