Southwest Airlines apologized for asking customer for 'proof' of relationship with her biracial son

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Southwest Airlines apologized to a mother of a one-year-old boy after she was stopped by a staff who did not believe that her mixed-race son was really hers.

Before boarding a flight from Denver to Oakland on May 28, Lindsay Gottlieb, head coach of the University of California women's basketball team, was asked to prove that she is Jordan Gottlieb Martin’s mother in the form of a birth certificate by a ticketing counter personnel.

Since the skin color of Gottlieb (left) and her son is different, she was stopped by a staff of the airline company to show the baby's birth certificate, according to Gottlieb's tweet. /Photo from Gottlieb's Twitter

“She (South West Air’s staff) said because we have a different last name. My guess is (it’s) because he has a different color (with me),” Gottleib tweeted.

Gottlieb was travelling her fiancé, Patrick Martin, the father of the boy who is black. /Photo from Gottlieb's Twitter

The airline responded to USA Today Sports that the company has addressed Gottlieb’s concerns and has spoken to the employee involved.

“We apologize if our interaction made the family uncomfortable – that is never our intention,” the company said in the statement. “Our employees are well-regarded for their hospitality, and we always strive for the best experience for anyone who entrusts us with their family’s travel."

Later on, Gottlieb said she appreciated Southwest’s apology even though the experience was “awful”.

“I hope the coverage this has received can serve as a learning opportunity and that all families—regardless of how 'traditional' they may or may not look-are treated with dignity and respect,” Gottlieb said.

Gottlieb posted series of tweets which stirred people's discussion on how should airline companies prevent trafficking. /Screenshot from Gottlieb's Twitter

In response to Gottlieb’s tweets, discussions started about whether or how the employees strictly comply with company’s protocol about decreasing human trafficking rate.

“How dare South West Air follow their rules to make sure children are with who they are supposed to be with? You can try to make this a racial issue but the airline was following procedures,” said Ruberavis.

"There are over thousands cases of trafficking. If following procedures can help us save one, why not?” said Sandra.

"It is a small price to pay to help combat child trafficking. Ideally the company should question every customer with babies. But if resources or time is short, the company can try to determine where to focus based on some data," said Jonathan Forbes.