A deaf woman has recounted her experience of being removed from a Frontier Airlines flight, alleging it was due to her inability to hear crew instructions. The woman, identified as Ashley, shared her account on TikTok, stating she was embarrassed and felt discriminated against.
However, a Frontier Airlines spokesperson told The Independent that Ashley was removed for boarding with an open container of alcohol, which violates company policy and federal law. According to the airline, when questioned, she admitted the cup contained alcohol and quickly consumed the remaining liquid before handing it over.
In her TikTok video, Ashley expressed distress, saying, “I’m so embarrassed… I didn’t do anything wrong.” She noted that gate agents later apologised for the flight attendant’s behaviour when she rebooked. Social media users supported her, with one commenting on the apparent disability discrimination.
The Frontier spokesperson countered that there was no indication on Ashley’s reservation that she was deaf, and staff reported she was conversing effectively. The flight attendant noted the cup bore a sticker warning that federal law prohibits carrying alcoholic beverages on board.
