A mum claims her holiday was ruined when Jet2 staff deemed her 'unfit to fly', after cabin crew spotted her sweating.

Helen Taylor, 56, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was supposed to jet off to Rome from Newcastle International Airport with her husband David, but said her reaction to eating meant she was booted off the flight on October 2. She claims that she boarded as normal but staff were concerned when she came back from using the toilet.

Helen, who has Type 2 Diabetes, claims that her "sweating and dizziness" were due to her blood sugar "re-levelling", as well as her menopause. However, crew insisted that Helen go through a medical questionnaire and then removed her from the plane, reports ChronicleLive.

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Helen explained: "I was desperate for the toilet so I asked one of the cabin crew while people were still boarding whether I could possibly go to the loo. She said, 'Yes no problem.' But when I came out I started to sweat and went a little bit dizzy. The air stewardess saw and asked, 'Are you alright?' and I said, 'I am perfectly fine, I had just eaten after not eating all day and I have Type 2 diabetes, so it is just my blood sugars releveling. All I need is to sit down and have a drink of water and I will be perfectly fine.'

"I also explained I was going through the menopause which makes you sweat as well. Two minutes later, I was right as rain. But then she came back and said, 'We have to do a medical with you.' She asked my name and what my condition was. I said, 'I have diabetes Type 2 and I take [medication] for it.' She asked my husband if it happens often and he said, 'From time to time when she hasn't eaten every few hours. It is perfectly normal.'"

Unfortunately, it didn’t end there for the mum and the flight attendant returned. Helen explained: "But she came back again 10 minutes later and said, 'We've made a decision that you are going to have to leave the aircraft, we think you are a flight risk.' I said,' What for having diabetes? Do I look ill now?' and she said, 'Well actually you don't.'"

Helen proceeded to speak to the Captain of the plane who she says agreed she looked fine to fly. However, he said he would back his crew and she needed to leave the plane.

The mum and her husband say they were then "frogmarched through the airport" and has to even return their Duty Free buys before being questioned by Border Control. They had to collect their luggage and get a taxi home instead of enjoying their holiday.

The upset couple had to contact their hotel and transport on the other side to alert them that they would not be showing up. Devastated Helen says she "never heard anything so ridiculous in my life." She added: "I cannot believe how we were treated. It was absolutely insane. They can't do this to people."

Helen, a health and social care teacher, questioned why no medical help was provided if she was "unfit to fly". She said: "They were making a decision on unsubstantiated evidence because they were not doctors. They didn't provide any medical or mobility assistance getting off the plane, on the tarmac, or going through the airport. Or any assistance with the bags. And this is when they said I am unfit to fly."

Plus, the mum says she tried to contact Jet2 many time at the airport and after to try and get their £1,800 break refunded. However, her insurance states that as Jet2 declined them they had to pay out rather than the insurance.

Helen said: "We fly with Jet2 a lot for short breaks and have three booked for next year with them. We have never had this problem. I want to put this out there so, hopefully, Jet2 think twice before doing this to someone else."

Jet2 said it has apologised to Helen and confirmed that it would refund the cost of her holiday. Newcastle International Airport said it was a matter between the airline and the passenger.

A Jet2 spokeswoman said: "After liaising with independent medical aviation specialists, our crew took this decision as the health, wellbeing and safety of our customers is always our first priority. However, after investigating further as a matter of absolute priority, we have been in touch with Ms Taylor to apologise and to refund her holiday as a gesture of goodwill."

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