British redhead told: 'You're too pale to fly'
A Scottish teenager almost had her Maldives holiday ruined after being told by an airline that she was too pale to fly.
Grace Wain, 14, from Cardross, was given a check up by an airport paramedic, who said she was fine.
But Etihad staff were reportedly so concerned by her pale complexion that they still insisted she got written confirmation from a doctor that she was fit to fly, nearly causing her to miss her dream holiday altogether.
See also: Silliest reasons people have been thrown off flights
The incident occurred at Manchester Airport and Grace and her brother Murray, 11, were reportedly both left in tears.
Grace's dad Paul told the Daily Record: "I told them, 'We live in Scotland.
"She is a redhead and she has a pale complexion. That's just the way she is."
Grace's mum, Sheena, 44, asked her twin sister Jean Jowers to organise a letter from the family GP, which was emailed to Etihad's duty manager.
Paul added: "I left the Royal Navy last year, after 29 years' service, and I had kept back some of the money I got so we could have a fantastic holiday.
"It is a once-in-a-lifetime event and someone was telling us we weren't going anywhere.
"We just stared at each other in amazement that we were not getting on this holiday and then the kids started crying."
The airline finally agreed Grace could fly around two hours before the service took off for Abu Dhabi.
However, that wasn't the end of the family's holiday hassle.
When they finally arrived at Male airport in the Maldives, they realised two of their suitcases were missing.
They had to go without them for three days while on their Indian Ocean getaway.
According to the Metro, an Etihad spokesman said: "Staff were concerned about the wellbeing of a young passenger ahead of a lengthy flight.
"The team called for a medic who examined the child and requested a 'fit to fly' letter from a doctor, allowing the family to board.
"Our team on the ground continued to provide support ahead of the flight."
Speaking to the Daily Record, the spokesman added: "Unfortunately, when the family arrived, some of their baggage was missing.
"The airline apologised and took all measures to find and deliver the baggage to the Wain family as soon as possible. Compensation in line with standard guidelines will be provided."
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