British Airways denied boarding to a 13-year-old boy with Tourette’s syndrome after he repeatedly shouted “bomb” at Gatwick Airport. I understand why BA took the word seriously, but based on the context, documentation, and screening already completed, this feels like a case where mercy should have prevailed.
British Airways Denies Boarding To Boy With Tourette’s After He Shouts “Bomb”
British Airways is facing criticism after denying boarding to a 13-year-old boy with Tourette’s syndrome who involuntarily shouted the word “bomb” before a flight from London Gatwick (LGW) to Alicante (ALC).
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder that begins in childhood and is characterized by involuntary, repetitive, and sudden movements or sounds known as tics.
The boy, Mason Entwistle, was traveling with his family on holiday to Spain. His parents say they had notified British Airways in advance about his Tourette’s syndrome, brought a diagnosis letter, and had him wearing a hidden-disability lanyard. The family reportedly made it through airport security without issue, despite Mason saying the word several times.
But as the family waited in the jetbridge to board, British Airways intervened.
According to The Sun, a BA duty manager refused travel, telling the family that Mason had made a threat involving a bomb in his bag. Armed police were present as Mason, his parents, and his baby sibling were escorted back to the terminal. His sister was allowed to travel with family friends.
British Airways later offered the family a refund, but defended the decision as a safety matter. A BA spokesperson said:
“This was an extremely difficult, complex and distressing situation. Due to a number of contributing factors, the decision was made not to allow the group to travel on the flight.”
I do not envy the British Airways employees who had to make this decision. But I do think this is a case where the airline may have gotten it wrong.
This Was Not A Joke Or A Threat
Saying the word “bomb” at an airport or on an airplane is serious and not something to joke about.
Speaking from personal experience, saying, “I hope you don’t think I’m a terrorist” is not a wise move…
I learned that lesson myself years ago after a photo incident on United, where an offhand remark involving those dreaded words became much more serious than I expected. In hindsight, I should not have said it. There are certain words that you simply do not use in aviation settings because they trigger fear, rational or irrational.
> Read More: Thrown Off a United Airlines Flight for Taking Pictures!
> Read More: Seven Words You Can Never Say on an Airplane?
But context still matters.
There is a difference between a passenger making a bomb threat and a child with Tourette’s syndrome involuntarily blurting out a forbidden word as part of a documented neurological condition.
Mason’s parents say they disclosed his condition in advance, this was consistent with his disability, and he had already been screened. This was a child with a known condition saying a word he apparently could not control.
I think that distinction matters.
I Understand Why BA Was Nervous
To be fair to British Airways, this is not an easy call.
If a passenger repeatedly says “bomb” near the aircraft, airline staff and security personnel cannot simply laugh it off. If something went wrong later, everyone would ask why the airline ignored repeated bomb-related statements before departure.
Airlines operate in a risk-averse environment, and for good reason. The duty manager at the gate was not making a philosophical decision about Tourette’s or disability accommodation. Instead, she was making a security decision at the aircraft door, with other passengers nearby and a flight ready to depart.
I understand why the instinct was to stop and escalate.
But difficult does not mean impossible. This was exactly the sort of situation where a rigid security reflex should have been tempered by common sense and compassion. And yet I’m not outraged, only saddened.
CONCLUSION
British Airways denied boarding to a 13-year-old boy with Tourette’s syndrome after he repeatedly shouted “bomb” before a flight from London Gatwick.
I understand why that word triggered concern. Aviation security cannot ignore bomb-related language, and no airline wants to be accused of failing to act. But looking at the broader context, including the documented diagnosis, advance notice, hidden-disability lanyard, and completed security screening, I think mercy should have prevailed. This was not a prank but a disabled child.
Rules and security protocols still require judgment. In this case, British Airways appears to have had enough context to show more grace.
image: British Airways
Maybe this is silly, but they announce when someone has a peanut allergy and they don’t serve peanuts. Perhaps announcing they have a adolescent with Tourette’s and you may hear some inappropriate comments. However, everything is fine.
But agreed. I think they may have fumbled, but I do not envy the person that had to make the decision.
I agree. With the parent’s consent they could have explained the situation to the passengers and let them on.
Honestly, in spite of screening, any announcements made, etc. – if the young boy shouted “bomb” in flight on a crowded plane – complete chaos could ensue. I believe BA did the right thing, as difficult as that decision may have been.
An uncomfortable call. Some begin outgrow Tourettes in the teenage years. Hopefully he will improve, and enjoy air travel one day soon
While I sympathize with the parents – sorry, that’s too much risk. A stampede could ensue, people might get anxious…Unfortunately, that was the only right call. In fact, banning the boy – as cruel as it sounds – might be necessary.
Wouldn’t there be parallels with shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre?
What if he did have some kind of ulterior motive, and was inadvertently giving himself away?
If the crew have to actively continually choose to ignore that threat as false, what other safety procedures might also be compromised/missed due to the distraction?
My daughter wears a sunflower lanyard too, for good reason, and while it makes staff more understanding, it isn’t a licence for my daughter to negatively affect others.
This is an awkward and sad situation.
The entitlement here is ridiculous. The parents know their son has a penchant for saying inappropriate things – especially so in this situation – but assume that everyone should accommodate them. If their son is incapable of NOT saying inappropriate things, then they should stay home. It is not the airline’s or other passengers’ responsibility to blindly accept this child’s condition and that what he’s saying is “just a tic”. It’s a slippery slope of over-acceptance and the line has to be drawn somewhere. It’s unfortunate for this family, but there are many people in that plane that behave themselves and they should not be put at risk.
What a heartless thing to say.
Sincerely, someone with Tourettes
Maybe some medication prior to boarding a plane??
At least not the N word like his countryman at the BAFTAs…
Medication is not a thing here and outgrowing is rarely a thing either, whether ticks are verbal or other types which can manifest (no pun intended) anytime.
Every time I read about a “disabled child” on an airplane it reminds me of the Air Afrikaans flight attendants.
LOL. I know the clip you are talking about.
I actually don’t think British Airways got it wrong here. I have sympathy for the family and appreciate that they attempted to make the journey seamless, but the safety and comfort of the other passengers and crew has to be considered too. I would be a bit unnerved hearing “bomb” shouted repeatedly for the two hours down to Alicante even if I understood his disability.
I certainly hope British Airways pays up and apologises for this misdemeanor. The parents had already informed the airline of the boy’s condition and as another commentator mentioned, could have made an announcement.
As for the fear of a stampede or people’s precious nerves getting strained – if you think that a young boy is carrying with him a bomb on a holiday flight, then you are probably the one who isn’t fit for flying in the first place.
Sincerely,
A person with Tourettes