Chicago Family Barred From Flight Over Lice Allegation

CHICAGO, IL — A family was barred from getting on their Southwest Airlines flight after it was alleged they had lice. From Chicago, the family was bound for Disneyland and said their vacation was ruined. Now the family wants the airline held accountable.

The Newman family was waiting for their flight to Santa Ana Friday afternoon when they were approached by a Southwest agent, the family said. The agent told them they would not be able to fly with the airline over passengers' concerns that the family had lice.

"[T]hey saw my wife going through my daughter's hair and that she might have lice," the father, J. Newman, told NBC 5. "And we looked at each other like are you serious right now or is this a joke?"

Newman said his wife had noticed dry skin in their 6-year-old daughter's hair earlier and began taking it out.

The family was told the next flight they could get on would be two days later, Newman said.

In a statement, Southwest said "multiple" fellow passengers in the gate area had concerns about the family "exhibiting behavior consistent with a highly contagious medical condition." The airline said it's obligated to look into such complaints and take action.

"We don't even have lice. That's the crazy thing. Our daughter doesn't have lice," Newman told NBC 5. "So why they would do this to us, I have no idea."

He said his daughter blamed herself for their ruined trip to Disneyland and felt horrible. Newman said his family never received an apology or compensation.

Southwest said it regrets any inconvenience and is working directly with the family.

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