JetBlue has barred a passenger from flying on its planes ever again after the traveler learned during a flight from New York to Florida that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

The passenger boarded a JetBlue flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Palm Beach International Airport Wednesday night without informing airline employees he had been tested for the coronavirus and was awaiting the results, the airline said.

The passenger received a notification toward the end of the flight that he had tested positive for the virus and was overheard talking about it, The New York Times reported. The flight crew then notified authorities on the ground in Palm Beach, according to the report.

“Last night’s event put our crewmembers, customers, and federal and local officials in an unsettling situation that could have easily been avoided, and as such, this customer will not be permitted to fly on JetBlue in the future,” the airline said in a statement.

The Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Passengers said passengers who sat near the infected person were allowed to leave the airport after being given instructions on how to monitor their health over the next few days, ABC News reported. The rest of the passengers were allowed to leave the airport after being given directions to call the local health department with any medical concerns, according to the report.

The Florida Department of Health said the passenger who tested positive for the coronavirus was now in isolation.

JetBlue immediately sterilized the area where the passengers deplaned and conducted extra cleaning of the gate at Kennedy Airport from which the plane departed, according to the reports.

“The health and safety of our customers and crewmembers is our top priority,” the airline said in a statement. “We’re asking customers who do not feel well or are concerned they may have coronavirus to not fly until cleared to travel by a doctor or health professional.”

A passenger on the plane, Scott Rodman, told WPTV in West Palm Beach he saw a man wearing a mask and gloves being taken to the back of the plane.

“I don’t feel good about it,” Rodman said. “The guy was sitting, you know, five feet from me, and his wife was sitting two feet from me, so no, I’m not feeling great about it.”

Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148

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