DENVER- A 25-year veteran of United Airlines (UA) was terminated in 2021 following an onboard incident during the COVID-19 mask mandate enforcement period. The event took place on a domestic flight from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).
The purser, Aixa Medina, told Aviation A2Z that she was enforcing federal regulations when a passenger refused to mask her child. Despite following standard protocol, the situation escalated into a physical altercation, leading to Medina’s dismissal and a lawsuit citing wrongful termination and breach of union representation by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA).
Representative Photo: United Airlines (Not related to article)United Fired Veteran Flight Attendant
Medina was assigned as the lead flight attendant on a United Airlines flight from DEN to MSP in 2021, during the height of the federal mask mandate.
When a passenger attempted to board with an unmasked two-year-old, Medina, following both airline and federal guidelines, allowed boarding under the condition that the child would be masked once seated.
Upon follow-up, the child remained unmasked. Medina offered a child mask kit and a compliance card, per United’s protocol for de-escalation. The situation, however, intensified when other passengers reported the non-compliance.
During deplaning, the unmasked passenger threw a soiled mask directly at Medina’s face, leading to an aggressive physical attack onboard.
Despite training that allowed minimal restraint to ensure safety, Medina’s attempt to manage the confrontation was later used against her. The captain and crew reportedly failed to intervene or call security in advance, leaving Medina exposed and unsupported during the attack.
Photo: AFA-CWALack of Support from the Union
Medina reports that the airline failed to categorize the incident as a Level 2 threat, despite physical aggression and potential COVID-19 exposure.
Supervisors allegedly dismissed the severity of the mask assault and minimized the situation. Medina states she was blamed for restraining the passenger and was denied access to witnesses or proper legal backing during the internal investigation.
Jetway surveillance footage and evidence were reportedly disregarded. Additionally, Medina claims the AFA union failed to advocate on her behalf, further compounding the breach of trust.
Disregard for Federal Policies and Internal Protocols
United Airlines had publicly committed to upholding a Zero Tolerance Policy introduced in January 2021, which mandated serious consequences for any assault on flight crew members. However, Medina asserts this policy was ignored in her case.
Despite media campaigns and internal communications pledging protection for frontline workers, Medina felt abandoned. The company’s focus, she alleges, was more on public image than employee safety, especially after internal communications surfaced expressing concern about potential social media exposure rather than her well-being.
Photo: Bill Abbott | FlickrEmotional and Legal Aftermath
The passenger involved was never fined or held accountable. Medina, on the other hand, was left physically bruised, emotionally traumatized, and eventually terminated. She is currently pursuing legal action against United Airlines and the AFA for wrongful termination and breach of fair representation.
This case highlights the broader issue of frontline aviation staff being penalized for enforcing mandates they are legally required to uphold, raising serious concerns about accountability, employee protections, and systemic failures within major airlines.
Represntative Photo: American AirlinesSimilar Incidents
United Airlines is facing legal action following allegations that the carrier hired a private investigator to monitor a flight attendant during recovery from a spinal injury. The Newark-based employee filed suit after United terminated his employment, claiming the airline accused him of performing unauthorized work in Kissimmee, Florida, in 2024.
American Airlines (AA) terminated a veteran flight attendant in January 2025 following an in-flight confrontation with a passenger at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The incident occurred aboard American Airlines Flight AA1852, which operated from Tucson to Phoenix, and has prompted scrutiny of airline protocols for handling passenger disputes and protecting crew members.
American Airlines also terminated Tillman Robinson, a flight attendant with 25 years of service, after a passenger assault incident on a Charlotte to Las Vegas flight. The December 31, 2023, confrontation resulted in criminal charges against the passenger, who received a citation for assault and completed an anger management program as part of a legal resolution.
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The post United Fired Flight Attendant with 25 Years of Experience, She Files Lawsuit appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
