EasyJet has apologised after one of its pilots was filmed threatening to remove a passenger for not wearing a face covering.
The man with serious breathing difficulties was carrying an exemption card.
But it was rejected by crew on the flight from Jersey to Gatwick, the BBC reported.
Face coverings on UK public transport are mandatory but some people are allowed not to wear them, due to age, health or disability reasons.
The passenger had printed off an official exemption card from the government’s website before flying to Jersey to see his family in August.
The card was accepted on the flight out, but on the return journey the crew said it was not valid and he would have to wear a mask.
He was reported as saying: “The staff came to speak to me around six times. The 30-minute delay was seen as my fault and each visit whipped up more hostility among the passengers.
“I was insulted, shouted at, laughed at. It felt like everybody was against me.”
He became so desperate he started filming on his phone.
Footage shows the pilot refusing to accept his exemption card and saying if he didn’t put on a mask, he “was off”.
He eventually agreed, but claimed it caused him to hyperventilate during the hour-long flight.
All easyJet passengers are required to wear a face covering but it acknowledges some passengers may not be able to.
A statement from the airline said: “We have recently updated our policies in line with recent UK government guidance so that as well as a medical certificate, customers can alternatively provide a relevant document from a government website or lanyard.
“We are sorry that this new policy was not recognised by the crew on this occasion.”
