Delta Apologizes to Woman Barred From Boarding With Breast Pump

Delta Airlines has apologized to a woman who was required to check her breast pump against company policy.

“Delta supports the rights of women to breast-feed,” Delta spokesperson Lindsay McDuff said in a statement, CNN reports. “Breast-feeding and breast pumps are permitted aboard any Delta flight and in Delta ground facilities. We have apologized to the customer for her experience.”

Lauren Modeen, a nursing mother, says gate agents would not let her board with her carry-on suitcase that contained a breast pump, her purse and a cooler to carry breast milk. Many airlines, like Delta, limit passengers to one carry-on bag and a personal item, but allow medical devices to go aboard without counting against customers’ carry-on allowance.

Modeen says she was told all passengers boarding with her needed to check their luggage but that others behind her brought their carry-on items aboard with no problem. A customer who witnessed Modeen’s conversation says the overhead bins were not crowded.

[CNN]