Overbooking, racial protests lead to 7 passengers removed from Spirit Airlines flight

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Airport police escorted a man and his girlfriend off a plane after he became upset when his seat was double-booked, and five other passengers were removed when they protested his treatment.

Officer Rob Pedregon says the incident occurred Monday as Spirit Airlines Flight 868 was boarding at Los Angeles International Airport.

Pedregon says the couple was offered other seats on the same plane to Dallas, but the man remained unruly and police were called. The couple was rebooked on another flight.

Pedregon says five other passengers were asked to leave when they argued with a flight attendant about the couple's treatment.

Passenger Alexandria Wright tells KCBS-TV that she and the others were booted because they are black.

"I'm really humiliated just for the simple fact that you hear about this type of stuff happening in America, discrimination issues and stuff like that, but to actually experience it first-hand," she said.

Wright's relative told FOX 4 that she has not yet returned to Dallas.

A call seeking comment from Spirit was not immediately returned Tuesday.

FOX4News.com contributed to this report.

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