A British man has been arrested at Keflavik airport in Iceland for wearing too many clothes.
He claimed he was denied a boarding pass at the British Airways desk for his flight home after he put on all the clothes that wouldn't fit in his checked luggage.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
After being stopped by security staff while trying to board the BA plane, the dispute escalated into a row which he filmed and posted on Twitter.
Hawaii was reportedly then prevented from boarding an EasyJet flight the following day “after the second airline heard about the previous day's drama,” says The Sun.
Shortly after the initial confrontation police were called and had to pepper spray him and wrestle him to the ground, according to local media reports - something which British Airways dispute.
Hawaii eventually made it back to the UK via Norwegian Airlines and says he is being refunded by both BA and easyJet for the flights he missed.
Hawaii believes “his treatment was due to racial prejudice because he had dreadlocks, wore flashy clothes and nail polish,” says Iceland Monitor.
A spokesperson for British Airways told Sun Online: “We give our customers a wide range of fares to choose from to meet their needs.
“Our hand baggage only fares from Iceland are as low as £47 each way, and are designed for customers who are travelling without any hold baggage.
“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.”
“We explained our policy to our customer, and arranged an alternative flight to London.”
-
October 13 editorial cartoonsCartoons Monday's political cartoons include Donald Trump's consolation prize, government workers during shutdown, and more
-
Can Gaza momentum help end the war in Ukraine?Today's Big Question Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles hints at ‘warming relations’ between Ukraine and US
-
The Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being releasedThe Explainer Triumphant Donald Trump addresses the Israeli parliament as families on both sides of the Gaza war reunite with their loved ones
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
