© 2026 ABC News

Rowe, who was traveling with her 8-year-old son, also tweeted a photo of the outfit in question. Social media users rallied behind her and accused the airline of policing womens' bodies.

Rowe said she was targeted due to her curvy figure, and because her body didn't \"fit the mold.\"

\"As a physician i know the negative impact of #racism on health and i am speaking up because i hope no one else has endure what i did because they don’t fit the mold,\" she tweeted.

\"PHOTO:
Jason E. Miczek/Getty Images FILE
PHOTO: An American Airlines planes takes off as staff and employees at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, N.C. on Sept. 17, 2015.
>

The airline issued an apology on Tuesday and said it fully refunded Rowe for her travel.

“We were concerned about Dr. Rowe’s comments, and reached out to her and our team at the Kingston airport to gather more information about what occurred,\" American Airlines spokesperson Shannon Gilson said in an e-mailed statement to ABC News. \"We apologize to Dr. Rowe and her son for their experience, and have fully refunded their travel.\"

Gilson said American Airlines is \"proud\" to serve customers of all backgrounds and committed to providing a \"positive, safe travel experience for everyone who flies with us.\"

ABC News' Christine Theodorou contributed to this report.

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