My journey from Heathrow to Aberdeen with me and my 10 year old autistic son both wearing our sunflower lanyards was really good. All the airport staff were brilliant. We went to the special assistance desk and they directed us to the fastest queues and we hot through security very quickly. No one questioned us and on the plane a member of the cabin crew came and said "I have noticed you have a lanyard, please let me know if we can do anything to help you." It was really good.
On the way back however, as we entered the plane I was challenged. The cabin crew member said to me "you need to wear a mask" I was shocked and showed him my exemption card. I couldn't talk and I went to my seat and started crying. Another member of the crew came and asked if I was ok and my husband explained what had happened and she said "we have to challenge any adult not wearing a mask". This really stumped me as surely the lanyard says it all?
I emailed BA and got this response:
I am so sorry about your very upsetting experience on our flight. There has been widespread company wide training regarding sunflower lanyards, so it's very disappointing that this one member did not reflect on what you were wearing before he spoke. It's good to know another cabin crew member came to ask how you were, but James shouldn't have asked you the questions in the first place.
Please accept my apologies for all the upset this caused you. I really hope nothing like this ever happens again, and I trust it doesn't put you off flying with us again.
Just thought I would share this to warn anyone else flying.
