A British tourist in Iceland was arrested after trying to board a flight home because he was wearing too many clothes, according to airport officials.
“I asked POLITELY if I could wear all the clothes in my case and still board,” Williams wrote on Twitter. “The BA staff told me ‘Yes’ after a bit of a back and forth and me refusing to leave the desk because I weren’t given a valid reason to leave.”
The tourist told the outlet that police officers arrived at the scene and used pepper spray while holding him on the ground.
Williams made it initially through security but the events unfolded after he arrived at the British Airways flight desk.
Williams posted on Twitter that he believed what took place happened due to “racial profiling.”
After his first ejection from the airport, he booked a new flight with EasyJet the next day.
“The captain and the ground crew were concerned about reports from the previous day so we provided a refund and he traveled with another airline,” an EasyJet spokesman told the Mirror.
Williams was eventually able to make it home on a Norwegian Airlines flight but is focused on directing attention on British Airways and EasyJet, threatening a lawsuit against the latter.“We do understand that our customers’ plans can change so they can choose to pay a fee at the airport if they need an extra bag,” the spokesman added. “Our hand baggage only fares from Iceland are as low as £47 each way, and are designed for customers who are traveling without any hold baggage.”
“We explained our policy to our customer, and arranged an alternative flight to London,” the spokesman said.
Williams has been in contact with British Airways, who are refunding him, according to Iceland Monitor. EasyJet has also refunded him.
“Arrived to airport in Iceland with no luggage on my booking. My sister-in-law booked my flight because I was FLAT broke from being homeless in Iceland. WHOLE other story,” Williams wrote.
Some Twitter users responded to his story with sympathy.
Others, however, didn’t agree with his take on events, nor take kindly to his saying that it was due to racism.
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