A woman has claimed she was kicked off her Jet2 flight after cabin crew spotted her 'sweating'.
Helen Taylor was excited to get her holiday started earlier this month on 2 October with a lovely little mini-break to Italy with her hubby.
The 56-year-old woman was due to fly from Newcastle to Rome alongside her partner but much to her shock, she was removed from the plane over apparent concerns about her Type 2 diabetes.
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The County Durham mum's trip turned from a romantic getaway to a nightmare before it even had legs after trip Jet2 cabin crew told her she was unfit to fly.
Helen, who is currently going through the menopause, said she boarded the aircraft from Newcastle International Airport without any problems.
However, after she returned from the toilet, flight staff raised concerns about her health.
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"I was desperate for the toilet so I asked one of the cabin crew while people were still boarding whether I could possibly go to the loo," she said.
According to Helen, the cabin crew member said it was 'no problem'.
She went on: "But when I came out I started to sweat and went a little bit dizzy. The air stewardess saw and asked, 'Are you alright?' and I said, 'I am perfectly fine, I had just eaten after not eating all day and I have Type 2 diabetes, so it is just my blood sugars revelling.
"All I need is to sit down and have a drink of water and I will be perfectly fine'."
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Helen also explained she was going through the menopause which 'makes you sweat as well'.
"Two minutes later," she recalled, "I was right as rain."
But the cabin crew member didn't seem convinced and told Helen: "We have to do a medical with you."
She then asked for Helen's name and what her 'condition' was to which she replied: "I have diabetes Type 2 and I take [medication] for it."
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The cabin crew member asked Helen's husband if the sweating situation in question 'happens often' and he responded: "From time to time when she hasn't eaten every few hours. It is perfectly normal."
The flight attendant came back again '10 minutes later' and notified Helen: "We've made a decision that you are going to have to leave the aircraft, we think you are a flight risk."
Clearly shocked by the news, Helen replied: "What for having diabetes? Do I look ill now?"
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"Well, actually you don't, " the cabin crew member allegedly responded.
Helen went to speak to the captain who she claims seemed to agree she looked well enough to fly, but backed the decision of the cabin crew member that she had to get off the plane.
The couple claimed they were subsequently 'frogmarched through the airport' and made to return their duty-free purchases and undergo questioning by Border Control.
And the saga only continued after they had to collect their suitcases, arrange an Uber back home and go through all the admin faff of contacting their hotel and pre-arranged transport to say they were not coming.
"I had never heard anything so ridiculous in my life," Helen said. "I cannot believe how we were treated. It was absolutely insane. They can't do this to people."
The mum, who works as a health and social care teacher, questioned why no medical or mobility assistance was provided when getting off the aircraft if she was allegedly 'unfit to fly'.
She went on: "They were making a decision on unsubstantiated evidence because they were not doctors. They didn't provide any medical or mobility assistance getting off the plane, on the tarmac, or going through the airport.
"Or any assistance with the bags. And this is when they said I am unfit to fly."
Helen said she had tried to contact Jet2 on several occasions, both at the airport on Monday and in the following days to complain and get a refund for the £1,800 break.
"Our insurance company said they won't give us anything because it is Jet2 that ejected us, therefore it's Jet2 that needs to pay compensation," she said.
"We fly with Jet2 a lot for short breaks and have three booked for next year with them. We have never had this problem. I want to put this out there so, hopefully, Jet2 think twice before doing this to someone else."
Jet2 has since confirmed it will now refund the cost of the holiday.
A spokesperson told Chronicle Live: "After liaising with independent medical aviation specialists, our crew took this decision as the health, wellbeing and safety of our customers is always our first priority.
"However, after investigating further as a matter of absolute priority, we have been in touch with Ms Taylor to apologise and to refund her holiday as a gesture of goodwill."
Tyla has reached out to Jet2 for further comment.
Topics: Real Life, Travel, Plane Etiquette, Health
Rhiannon Ingle