American Airlines Passenger Says See-Through Mask Got Her Barred From Flight

A woman claims she was denied boarding after airline crew told her the mask she was wearing was see-through and unacceptable for flying.

Tarus Woelk said she was not allowed to wear the mask on her American Airlines flight out of North Carolina's Charlotte Douglas Airport to Richmond, Virginia, because a gate agent told her that her mouth was visible through the mask.

"'You can't wear that, you have to wear a different mask.' I said, 'Well why?'" Woelk told FOX46 in recalling the exchange. "'Well, I can see your mouth,'" she said the agent replied.

"I was like, 'Can you just take a minute and look at this? It's a Shema mask, it's used by professional athletes. It has a factor of 97 instead of 95. It's more effective than what you want me to wear."

Woelk said she attempted to explain to the gate agent that her mask was allowed and effective, even showing how the mask worked.

The airline reportedly told her she could wear a different disposable mask provided by the airline or not travel at all.

Woelk chose not to wear the replacement mask and was therefore unable to take the flight.

"It just caused a huge mess," she said. "I'm wearing a mask. I'm being compliant."

Woelk said she believed she was following the in-flight regulations stipulated by major airlines in the U.S. regarding face masks. These standards stipulate that face coverings must cover the nose and mouth, secure under the chin and not contain exhaust valves.

Back in April, Woelk was photographed protesting Virginia Governor Ralph Northam's extension on the closure of recreational businesses and stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19 restrictions throughout the state.

"I support common sense, not fear," Woelk told the Richmond Times Dispatch at the time. In another interview with VPM, she said: "It's too much of an extreme at this point."

Dana Marquez, owner of helmetfitting.com and the creator behind the mask, said he was aware that other travelers attempting to use the mask to board flights had also been denied boarding.

"I do know that the airlines do not like this mask," Marquez told FOX. "They do not like it because it's see-through."

Subsequently, his company made a more travel-friendly version. "We actually came out with a version two mask that looks very similar to the version one that the airlines really like," he said.

Newsweek has contacted American Airlines and Woelk for comment.