Philadelphia, PA — In an unfortunate incident, an unaccompanied 6-year-old child, scheduled to visit his grandmother in Fort Myers, Florida, found himself on the wrong flight to Orlando while flying with Spirit Airlines.
On December 21, the child was meant to fly from Philadelphia International Airport to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. However, due to what Spirit Airlines termed an “incorrect boarding,” the child was instead placed on a flight headed to Orlando.
In response to the incident, Spirit Airlines issued an apology to the family, expressing regret for the mishap. The airline clarified that the child was always under the care and supervision of a Spirit Team Member. Once the error was discovered, immediate steps were taken to rectify the situation and reconnect the child with the family, as stated in an email to CNN.
Maria Ramos, identified as the grandmother of the 6-year-old, shared her experience with CNN affiliate WINK-TV. Upon the realization that her grandson was not on the intended flight to Fort Myers, panic set in. Ramos received a call from her grandson after he landed in Orlando, prompting her to make a nearly 160-mile drive from Fort Myers to pick him up.
While Spirit Airlines offered to reimburse the family for the drive, Ramos emphasized the need for an explanation regarding the incident. The airline, however, did not provide details on how the mistake occurred but assured the public of their commitment to safety. Spirit Airlines stated that they take the responsibility of transporting all passengers seriously and are conducting an internal investigation. The airline extended apologies to the family for the unsettling experience.
