Free Haiti Flights Turn Out To Be Twitter Hoax

Tweeters also spread rumor of free UPS shipping
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 14, 2010 2:10 PM CST
Free Haiti Flights Turn Out To Be Twitter Hoax
An American Airlines plane brings relief goods to Haiti.   (American Airlines)

If you believe Twitter, then a lot of big-hearted corporations are doing great things for victims of the Haiti quake: American Airlines and Jet Blue are both flying doctors and nurses to Haiti for free, and UPS is offering free shipping on any package to Haiti under 50 pounds. Also, if you believe Twitter, you’re a sucker, because none of those rumors are true, CNN reports.

Okay, actually all three companies are trying to help out. The rumor likely started because Jet Blue is flying relief workers in for free, but only after they’ve been cleared by the Haitian Consulate. “We’re not offering free transportation for just any doctors who walk up and want to fly there,” says a spokesman. American for its part has sent three planes full of supplies to Haiti, while UPS has donated $1 million to disaster relief efforts.
(More American Airlines stories.)

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