Passenger Refused Entry at Miami Airport because of Aesthetic Treatment; Airline Offers Explanation
Spirit Airlines has made headlines for denying boarding to a Houston woman, Shataria Banks, who had recently undergone cosmetic surgery. The incident occurred at Miami International Airport in July 2025.
Banks, who arrived in Miami after undergoing a cosmetic procedure last week, presented documentation from her doctor confirming her fitness to travel following several days of recovery. However, Spirit Airlines' agents followed established procedures by consulting an on-call medical professional through their vendor, MedLink. The medical consultant advised that Banks was not fit to fly, and the airline refused her boarding for safety reasons, ultimately issuing a refund for her ticket.
Spirit Airlines has emphasized that ensuring the safety and well-being of their guests is their top priority. The airline's policy allows them to refuse boarding if their medical consultant deems it unsafe, even if the passenger has medical clearance from their personal doctor. This approach prioritizes caution and safety over the passenger's own medical approval.
Passengers in similar situations should be aware that Spirit Airlines may rely on internal or contracted medical evaluations and can deny boarding post-cosmetic surgery if those assessments indicate a health risk. Although refunds are issued in such cases, travelers may incur additional costs, as Banks did, due to accommodations or booking alternative flights.
Banks described the exchange with Spirit employees as unprofessional and disregarding her doctor's opinion. She has stated that she does not want to fly with Spirit Airlines ever again and expressed the need for clearer protocols from the airline. Banks preferred to keep the details of her cosmetic procedure private.
No written statement was provided by a Spirit Airlines supervisor regarding the denial of boarding. However, it is clear that the airline's policy is to prioritize safety concerns over passengers' personal medical clearances in certain situations.
In a video Banks captured during the confrontation at the Spirit Airlines desk, the exchange between Banks and the airline's staff can be seen. The video has not been widely circulated, but it highlights the potential challenges that passengers may face when traveling after undergoing cosmetic procedures.
This incident serves as a reminder for passengers to be aware of airline policies regarding cosmetic procedures and to plan accordingly to avoid any potential inconveniences. It also underscores the importance of clear communication and understanding between passengers and airlines in such situations.
In the event of undergoing cosmetic surgery, passengers should be cognizant of airline policies and plan accordingly to prevent potential inconveniences, as demonstrated by Shataria Banks' encounter with Spirit Airlines. Health-and-wellness enthusiasts and travelers should be aware that certain medical-conditions, including those resulting from cosmetic procedures, might trigger stricter safety evaluations by airlines like Spirit Airlines, which prioritize safety over personal medical clearance in some cases.
