The airline that had New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith removed from a flight at LAX after labeling him a "threat" is now apologizing to the Roc Nation client for what seems to have been a simple misunderstanding.
According to ESPN, Virgin Airlines released statements and their apology through the Jets after a "full review of the incident."
While conflicting reports of what actually transpired remain, ESPN reports a source close to Smith claims the altercation was triggered after a flight attendant asked Smith to remove his headphones. After Smith didn't immediately respond, reportedly the flight attendant unplugged his headphones and "threw them down," telling Smith he was a threat and demanding that he leave the plane.
At that point, ESPN reports Smith requested to speak with police
"We believe it was the result of a misunderstanding that regrettably escalated unnecessarily," the airline said in its statement. "We've apologized to Mr. Smith for his experience, which could have been better -- and we'd welcome him back onboard any time. As an airline that prides itself on our guest service, we take incidents such as this one very seriously."
The New York Daily News previously reported through unnamed sources that airport officials ordered Smith off the plane because he refused to get off his cell phone as the aircraft prepared for takeoff. Later the airline refused to rebook him on another flight, though he was not formally arrested or charged.
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