Family Says it Was Removed From Flight Over Boy’s Allergies

SEATTLE (AP) — An Arizona family is now home after they were removed from a plane in Bellingham, Washington, when their son experienced an allergic reaction to dogs aboard a flight.

Christina Fabian tells KING-TV in Seattle her 7-year-old son Giovanni started to get hives as they were boarding the Allegiant Air flight to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. The incident delayed takeoff.

The crew initially allowed the family to change seats but later asked them to get off the plane. Fabian says as they were leaving the plane "people toward the back of the plane clapped."

The boy's father, George Alvarado, has terminal cancer and the family visiting relatives in Washington.

Allegiant said in a statement that it stands by the decision to remove the boy "to ensure his safety" and followed the advice of its on-call medical doctor.

The family returned to Arizona Wednesday night on another flight.