A passenger is suing American Airways for being “reckless” and “negligent,” saying the airline misplaced her two children on the airport in a single day with out meals or water or informing her of what occurred to them for hours.
Amber Vencill put her two underage sons on an American Airways flight from Missouri to Syracuse, New York – with a layover in Charlotte – on July 30, 2022, in line with the grievance filed on Oct. 31. They had been supposed to go to their father’s household.
Because the airline requires, Vencill bought the airline’s unaccompanied minor chaperone companies to help the 14-year-old and 12-year-old with the journey for $150.
In keeping with the American Airways’ web site, the service contains early boarding, a kids-only lounge, and escorts within the airport till the licensed grownup picks them up.
Within the case of a delay or cancellation, the airline mentioned it can name the adults and prepare an alternate flight, or “within the uncommon case that your baby wants to remain in a single day due to a missed connection, we’ll prepare for in a single day lodging, meals and supervision. We’ll name if this happens,” the web site reads.
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When the children’ connecting flight was canceled, the lawsuit says none of this occurred for the household.
“There’s no margin for error with kids,” Elizabeth Eilender, an lawyer for Jaroslawicz & Jaros PLLC who’s representing Vencill, instructed USA TODAY. “You possibly can substitute baggage or golf golf equipment however you possibly can’t substitute the children.”
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The lawsuit alleges that American Airways “lied to” Vencill for what’s promised in its coverage and “misplaced their kids.” Eilender mentioned she has not heard from the airline as of Wednesday afternoon.
“The protection and luxury of our clients, together with unaccompanied minors in our care, are our highest priorities and we’re dedicated to offering a optimistic expertise to everybody who travels with us,” American Airways instructed USA TODAY in an announcement. “We’ve been in contact with Ms. Vencill instantly and we’re reviewing the main points of the lawsuit.”
After the flight was canceled, Vencill’s companion and the youngsters’s father Ted obtained a name from the airline that the minors could be placed on a flight the following morning, the grievance alleges. In keeping with the grievance, Vencill mentioned she obtained an electronic mail with conflicting data saying they’d be on a 5:21 p.m. flight on July 31.
Vencill tried to name the airline however was reportedly unable to get a response.
“It was very scary for the children, nevertheless it’s as terrifying for Amber and for her companion Ted,” Eilender mentioned. “They had been frantic looking for out the whereabouts of the boys,”
Vencill lastly acquired involved with a employee at Charlotte Airport – unaffiliated with American Airways – who tracked down the children in “a misplaced kids’s room” on the airport, the grievance mentioned.
The minors allegedly had not been given any meals or water because the evening earlier than and spent the evening within the “freezing” room on a settee.
Vencill’s kids boarded the flight to Syracuse, the place they had been safely picked up by their father.
The mom emailed American Airways’ Board of Administrators in regards to the incident, and the one response was from the airline’s buyer relations with an apology and promise to refund simply the unaccompanied minor chaperone service price.
“She hoped they’d name her and interview the boys and determine what occurred so it doesn’t occur once more,” Eilender mentioned.
The mom is hoping the lawsuit forces American Airways to “take accountability” for providing such a service after which failing to uphold its coverage and in addition intently examine its personal inner processes on how this service is dealt with.
“It’s unconscionable for American Airways to supply the unaccompanied minor chaperone service after which lose your kids,” Eilender mentioned.
Kathleen Wong is a journey reporter for USA TODAY primarily based in Hawaii. You possibly can attain her at [email protected].
