‘Traumatising’: Entire JetBlue flight forced to deplane after two-year-old refuses to wear mask

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “A few minutes later, they came to me and they told me that I have to gather my things and I have to get off the plane.” When Bruck had booked the tickets, JetBlue’s mask policy was that “small children who cannot maintain a face covering are exempt”. However, by the time of the flight, this had changed to an advisory that anyone who cannot wear a mask “should postpone travel until this temporary requirement is no longer in place.” Bruck refused to leave when asked by flight attendants, and other passengers came to her family’s defence, telling JetBlue staff that it was unfair to expect a two-year-old to wear a mask. A spokesperson for JetBlue told The Independent: “During these unprecedented times, our first priority is to keep crewmembers and customers safe, and we’ve quickly introduced new safety policies and procedures throughout the pandemic. Children age two and over must wear a face covering, consistent with CDC guidelines, which say ‘Masks should not be worn by children under the age of two.’ “Customers receive an email before their flight outlining the latest safety protocols and face covering policies.