A mother claims she was removed from a United Airlines flight with her distressed 16-month-old son due to mistakenly using the wrong pronoun for a flight attendant. Jenna Longoria was set to fly from San Francisco to Austin on Wednesday with her mother and son when United Airlines denied them boarding.
Longoria alleges that the incident occurred due to an accidental mis-gendering of a United staff member, who she says refused to accept her apology. She shared her experience in a video posted on Instagram, expressing frustration and detailing the situation.
“They’re saying it’s a hate crime and that I might not be able to fly United again,” Longoria vented in the video. She explained that during the boarding process, while handling her son’s tantrum and carrying his car seat, she inadvertently used the wrong pronoun for a flight attendant. Despite her immediate apology and explanation, the situation escalated.
In the video, Longoria explained, “I got one of the flight attendant’s pronouns wrong, and the other flight attendant didn’t like it. I said, ‘I’m really sorry, I’m not very versed in pronouns.’ I was holding my son, who was having a temper tantrum, and I had the car seat on my back. I wasn’t really focusing on anything except getting my son’s car seat on the plane and getting him comfortable.”
After the incident, Longoria was informed by a United Airlines staff member that the captain had personally barred her from entering the plane. Adding to her distress, she claimed that the flight departed with her luggage on board, which contained vital medications for her and her mother, leaving them at risk of becoming “very sick” while stranded.
Longoria’s account has sparked a significant reaction online, with many expressing outrage over her treatment. She emphasized the challenges she faced, dealing with a young child and trying to navigate the airport under stressful conditions.
The incident has raised questions about the airline’s policies and handling of such situations. While United Airlines has not publicly commented on the specific incident, the situation highlights the importance of communication and understanding, especially in high-stress environments like airports.
Longoria’s story has resonated with many, particularly parents who can relate to the difficulties of traveling with young children. The incident also underscores the broader conversation about pronoun usage and the potential consequences of misunderstandings in today’s social climate.
In her video, Longoria reiterated her frustration and confusion over the severity of the airline’s response. “It was an honest mistake,” she said. “I was just trying to manage my child and get us settled on the plane.”
The situation remains unresolved as Longoria and her family await further communication from United Airlines. In the meantime, her story continues to gain traction, with many supporting her and calling for the airline to address the incident more compassionately and transparently.