US giant Delta Air Lines has warned of “heightened tensions” in US society as it banned a passenger who launched a pro-Donald Trump rant on one of its domestic flights
The airline has banned the passenger for life after he shouted pro-Donald Trump and anti-Hillary Clinton comments on a flight to Allentown, in Pennsylvania.
The video showed other travellers looking uncomfortable as the man clapped his hands and shouted “Donald Trump, baby! That’s right, this man knows what’s up. We got some Hillary bitches on here?”
He added: “Donald Trump! It’s your president. Every goddamn one of you. If you don’t like it, too bad.”
Staff questioned the passenger but allowed him to remain on the flight, a move that has since embarrassed the airline after a video of the incident went viral.
Delta chief executive Ed Bastian said in a message to staff the passenger displayed behaviour that was “loud, rude and disrespectful to his fellow customers’’.
Bastian said the plane’s crew made best decision they could given the information they had on hand but there was no question the man would have been kicked off the plane had staff witnessed first-hand what was shown in the video.
“Delta has apologized to the customers onboard that flight,’’ he said “We are also refunding those customers the cost of their tickets.
“I also want to make sure all of you know we have your backs.
“The heightened tension in our society means that now more than ever we must require civility on our planes and in our facilities. We must stay true to Delta’s core values and treat one another with dignity and respect.
“We also must remain committed more than ever to the safety of our customers and our crew members. We will not tolerate anything less.”
