Brandon Straka was banned from an American Airlines flight after he refused to wear a face mask during his flight on Wednesday.
What We Know:
- Straka was traveling from New York to Dallas when he was asked to get off the plane because he refused to wear a face mask. In a phone interview with CNN, Straka said the flight was close to taking off when “one of the flight attendants came to me pretty aggressively and said, ‘Sir, you need to be wearing your mask.’ And I said, ‘Well, I don’t have one.’” He was told that in order to be on the flight he needed to wear a mask and he told the flight attendant because it was the law.
- “I was just irritated by the fact that there wasn’t even a conversation. I said to her, ‘That’s actually not a law,’” Straka said in the interview. He has appeared on Fox News before and describes himself as a former liberal who encourages people to leave the Democratic Party. He is anti-mask for himself but sees it as a personal decision; he also sells T-shirts, masks and other items on his website. A New York Times reporter was on board and recorded the conversation.
— Astead (@AsteadWesley) June 17, 2020
- After Straka left the plane, he was rebooked on a later flight once he agreed to comply with company policies. He wore a mask as he boarded his second flight but took it off once he boarded and no one complained to him about it. He says, “I fly sometimes two or three times a week, and even during shutdown I was flying a minimum of once every two weeks. I am quite used to traveling and this has literally never been an issue. Not one single time, even with this airline.”
I was just removed from my flight for not wearing a mask. 1st time this has happened. Not a federal law. @AmericanAir staff standing over me telling me it’s THE LAW. So much for “please respect those who can not wear a mask”. When I pointed out this wasn’t a law I was removed.
— Brandon Straka (@BrandonStraka) June 17, 2020
- When face masks are no longer required for customers, Straka will be allowed to fly with American again. American Airlines joined United in announcing earlier this week that those who refuse to wear masks will be banned from flying with the airline for a period of time.
Steve Dickson, FAA Administrator says travelers should wear face masks for their own protection and those around them.
