Family Claims Their Son with Tourette Syndrome Wasn’t Allowed on Flight After He Shouted ‘Bomb’ 

A family’s distressing experience at London Gatwick Airport has garnered significant attention after they were barred from boarding a British Airways flight due to their son’s Tourette syndrome. The Entwistle family claims they informed the airline in advance about their son’s condition, including his involuntary vocal tics, which often include the utterance of the word “bomb.” Despite this prior notice, they say they were treated as a security threat and eventually escorted from the airport by armed officials.

Martyn and Gemma Entwistle were preparing to fly to Alicante, Spain with their 13-year-old son Mason and his sister, along with her friends. Gemma recounted that she had detailed her son’s condition during a phone call with British Airways ahead of their journey. She stated that the representative assured her there would be no issues, and that they should simply seek assistance upon arrival at the airport.

Upon reaching Gatwick, the family reported that they were given help navigating the terminal and felt reassured that they could manage Mason’s tics without incident. Martyn noted that Mason had been vocal throughout their airport journey, repeating “bomb” as part of his condition, yet airport staff appeared unfazed and accommodating.

However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically at the boarding gate. After being led down the jet bridge, the family was abruptly asked to step aside before boarding. They were informed that the captain wished to speak with them, but after a lengthy wait of 40 minutes, they were confronted by armed officers who told them they could not fly due to a perceived bomb threat.

Martyn expressed his disbelief at the situation, questioning why they were left waiting for so long if they were truly a threat. The emotional toll on Mason was evident, with his parents describing how he dissolved in tears, apologising to fellow passengers as he struggled to comprehend the situation.

Gerald explained that there was a complete lack of empathy shown towards their son, stating no support was offered to help him cope with the distress of being barred from the flight. Instead, they were escorted out by officers, highlighting a concerning disconnect between airport security protocols and the needs of families with special circumstances.

Tourette syndrome is often misunderstood, typically characterised by involuntary movements or vocalisations that can include socially inappropriate words or phrases, a condition known as coprolalia. The Entwistles were especially disheartened by how their family was treated, arguing that proper communication about Mason’s condition could have easily avoided the situation.

After being removed from the flight, the family was returned to the main help desk, where they were astonishingly informed that Martyn was banned from flying. He later recounted that when he attempted to address the issue with British Airways, he was dismissed with comments suggesting he was the one posing a threat, rather than his son.

Despite reaching out for clarification, Martyn reported receiving no satisfactory response from the airline. He described the communications from British Airways as generic, lacking any apology or acknowledgment of the distress caused to their family.

In contrast to their ordeal with British Airways, the Entwistles managed to book an alternative flight with another airline soon after. During this journey, the captain made a point to announce Mason’s condition to the passengers, providing them with context and promoting understanding among fellow travellers, something the Entwistles believe should have been done initially.

Reflecting on their experience, Martyn expressed disappointment with how a situation that could have been resolved with a simple conversation instead devolved into a distressing ordeal for the entire family. He remarked that the incident has highlighted the need for better training among airline staff to recognise and address the needs of passengers with special conditions.

The Entwistle family’s experience underscores the importance of communication between airlines and families affected by neurological disorders, as well as the necessity for appropriate measures to ensure that all passengers can travel safely and without stigma.