Airline Staff Told Petty Officer She Could Not Travel In Her Uniform

Royal Navy Petty Officer Nicky Howse had booked a flight on Virgin Atlantic to Los Angeles in the U.S. for a deployment after compassionate leave for a funeral in her native U.K., but was not allowed to board the flight until she changed out of her combat fatigues. Howse was told, incorrectly, by VA staff that the company did not allow military personnel to travel in uniform.

The U.K. newspaper The Sun relays a report from The Daily Mail that Howse was prevented from checking in, and a security agent prevented an airline employee from giving her her passport, until she changed out of the uniform.

Howse said she was outraged, but finally got checked in and thought she was in the clear until she got to the departure gate. There, a flight agent told her that she would not be allowed to board until she changed out of her uniform into black pajamas she would have to wear during the flight. Howse said she asked if this was Virgin policy, and was told "Yes." She said she initially refused to wear the pajamas until she was told that she had to change, cover up the uniform, or leave the flight. The flight agent told Howse that "we don't only fly British passengers," and that she might be considered threatening to some other passengers.

Howse said the entire incident left her "gobsmacked." She was told that it was for her own safety, but the veteran of Afghanistan said that she could take care of herself. She said she could not believe she could not wear her uniform in the country she defends.

A VA spokesperson said that the entire incident was a misunderstanding, and that their security agent made a mistake which escalated far beyond where it should have. He said the airline had apologized to Howse "for any upset caused."

FMI: www.virgin-atlantic.com/us/en/travel-information.html