When two brothers from New Jersey were kicked off on a United Airlines flight last month, it was not because they did not want to wear masks.
In fact, Rob and William Joseph, from Mahwah, New Jersey, wanted extra coverage on their Jan. 23 flight to Florida from Newark International Airport.
So they bought Narwall masks, airtight face shields with inhalation and exhalation filtration systems inspired by diving masks.
However, when they wanted to board their plane with the Narwall Masks, the brothers were asked to take them off – because they did not comply with airline policy – and instead wear surgical masks, according to a NorthJersey report. com
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When they refused, they were kicked out of flight.
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“It does not meet the criteria image of the paper and cloth mask that everyone has seen a million times,” Rob told NorthJersey.com, adding: “If I try to exceed it for my own safety and my own comfort , protect my newborn at home and my family in danger – that’s my right. ‘
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Charles Hobart, spokesman for United Airlines, told Fox News that the Narwall Masks did not comply with the company’s current mask policy.
United Airlines does not allow Narwall Masks on board due to safety issues in emergencies, a spokesman for Fox News said. (iStock)
“We were concerned that such a mask could cause certain obstacles in a variety of potential emergency scenarios that could occur on board an aircraft,” Hobart said.
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He explained that especially the portion of the mask that covers the wearer’s entire mouth and nose makes it difficult for the wearer to speak clearly – which can make communication more difficult during a possible emergency during a flight.
“It simply did not make sense to allow such masks on board if there were perfectly acceptable alternatives,” Hobart said of other masks, such as surgical masks, which Rob and William said were offered during their flight to Florida.
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Eventually, the brothers eventually wore more traditional masks, according to NorthJersey.com.
Although they missed their first flight seven hours later, Rob and William took the next United flight to Florida, wearing both cloth and surgical masks for extra protection.
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The brothers were not banned from United, Hobart told Fox News. However, Rob told NorthJersey.com that he had booked his return flight home with another airline, after checking that the Narwall Masks would be allowed on the flight.
Fox News directed Rob to comment. William could not be reached for comment.