A Muslim man is taking legal action against Virgin Atlantic after he was allegedly kicked off a flight for mentioning 9/11.
Mohammad Khan, 26, boarded a flight from Heathrow to Atlanta on January 8 last year.
But he claims he was marched off the aircraft by cabin crew after referring to the September 11 attacks.
Khan said he had been talking to an air stewardess and another passenger while the plane was taxiing, when the other passenger complained about how long airport security checks take.
“I totally innocently said ‘there’s been more security since 9/11’, and then asked the stewardess ‘I bet your job has changed since 9/11’, but she looked stunned,” he told the Evening Standard.
The plane was then turned around and he was escorted off by police officers.
He claims Virgin refused to let him back on the flight, and would not refund his £560 ticket.
His legal team have demanded £5,000, plus legal fees.
A spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic said: “We can confirm that a passenger was escorted from flight VS103 on 8th Jan 2016 by police after multiple customers and crew reported hearing highly inappropriate comments concerning security.
“This is not a decision we take lightly and although such security events are rare, we have a responsibility to report them to the relevant authorities to ensure the safety and security of our aircraft, customers and crew.
“Our team has been in regular contact with Mr Khan and his lawyers, and we have offered to refund his flights.”
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