USA: Gate Agent Fired After Unaccompanied Minor Takes Wrong Flight: Spirit Airlines Takes Action

Spirit Airlines has confirmed the termination of the gate agent responsible for mistakenly putting an unaccompanied minor on the wrong flight in Florida last week.

The child, identified as 6-year-old Casper, intended to travel from Philadelphia to Fort Myers on December 21 but inadvertently boarded a flight to Orlando instead, according to the airline.

An investigation revealed that a gate agent in Philadelphia had escorted Casper to the incorrect aircraft, leading to the wrongful boarding. Spirit Airlines stated on Thursday that the terminated agent failed to adhere to their procedures, and any individual responsible for such errors would be held accountable.

The airline is reinforcing its procedures with the team and maintaining communication with the child’s family regarding the incident.

The incident occurred amid a record-breaking holiday travel rush, marked as the “busiest air travel season ever” by AAA. Casper’s grandmother, Maria Ramos, who was expecting him in Fort Myers, discovered his absence when his luggage arrived without him.

Despite being initially told that Casper missed his flight, she later received a call from him in Orlando, 150 miles away.

Expressing concerns about her grandson’s unexpected destination, Ramos emphasized the potential risks, saying, “I keep thinking about, how about if somebody would have stolen my grandson.”

Spirit Airlines reassured that the child was continuously under the care and supervision of an airline employee. Once the error was discovered, immediate steps were taken to communicate with the family and facilitate their reunion. Ramos confirmed that Spirit reimbursed her for the trip to Orlando to pick up her grandson.