Flight Failures

CW: Death

Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson will lead a new committee of specialists who are in charge of improving air travel for disabled people. The government has announced the creation of the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group, which will endeavor to make flying accessible to everybody “from booking to baggage claim”. “For too long, disabled passengers haven’t had the standard of assistance and service they need,” said Transport Secretary Louise Haigh.

In September, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, who uses a wheelchair, had to crawl on the floor of a Polish Airlines LOT plane in order to reach the toilet. LOT, which flies in and out of Heathrow Airport said that it does not have onboard aisle chairs. British Airways, Easyjet, and other airlines do have aisle chairs. 

Gardner says it is terrible that disabled passengers traveling out of British airports continue to face discrimination in this manner. Heathrow, which is not a member of the taskforce, stated that it is “committed to making air travel more accessible” and has commissioned study on the barriers to air travel, which it is “pleased to share.” It also stated that it is collaborating with its airline partners and an advisory panel to “transform the service for passengers requiring support”.

A representative for London Gatwick said the airport welcomes “any initiative to make flying more accessible”. They stated that the airport was “proud of the work we do to improve accessibility” and that it has received recognition for this from Airports Council International, a global body of airport authorities.

 Unfortunately, Gardner is not alone. Rodney and Deanna Hodgins of Prince George, B.C., were flying from Vancouver to Las Vegas on August 30, 2023, when an Air Canada staff member informed them that Rodney would need to move to the front of the plane without help.

Rodney has cerebral palsy. Sadly, he was forced to drag himself to the front of the plane. His wife Deanna crawled behind him while moving his legs.

In 2015, D’Arcee Neal was travelling from San Francisco to Washington when he was also forced to crawl off the plane. After arriving in Washington, Neal was instructed to wait for an aisle chair to help him disembark. However, due to a mix-up at the gate, Neal had to wait around 30 minutes for the chair. 

And because Neal needed to use the restroom, which was made difficult. while on the plane, he decided he couldn’t wait any longer and crawled off the plane to a chair waiting at the gangway. Flight attendants also stared at Neal rather than offering to help 

Disabled people worldwide face challenges when traveling on airplanes. In 2022, US airlines damaged 11,389 wheelchairs and scooters. For wheelchair users, this damage is more than a minor inconvenience. 

For wheelchair users, this damage is more than a minor inconvenience.

Wheelchairs are often custom-made to fit their users. An ill-fitting wheelchair can have devastating consequences. In 2021, Engracia Figueroa died after developing a pressure sore, which subsequently became infected. She developed the sore after using a wheelchair that was loaned to her after her wheelchair was damaged by United Airlines.

Disabled people should be able to take a flight safely. Crawling off of a plane is dangerous and undignified. No one should have to compromise their safety in order to fly. 

Sources:

Brooks, Laken. “Disability Advocate Engracia Figueroa Died after an Airline Damaged Her Wheelchair.” Forbes, 9 Nov. 2021, https://www.forbes.com/sites/lakenbrooks/2021/11/08/disability-advocate-engracia-figueroa-died-after-an-airline-damaged-her-wheelchair/?sh=722eb0f310d7. 

Diament, Michelle. “Feds Crack down on Airline Mistreatment of Passengers with Disabilities.” Disability Scoop, Disability Scoop, 24 Oct. 2024, http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2024/10/24/feds-crack-down-on-airline-mistreatment-of-passengers-with-disabilities/31128/. 

Gray, Melissa, and Samuel Roth. “United Airlines Apologizes after Disabled Man Crawls off Flight.” CNN, CNN, 27 Oct. 2015, http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/25/us/united-airlines-disabled-man/index.html. 

Ghoussoub, Michelle. “Air Canada Says It Violated Disability Regulations When Passenger in Wheelchair Made to Drag Himself off Plane”. CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 3 Nov. 2023, 

Heasley, Shaun. “Delta Seeks Approval for Seats to Accommodate Wheelchairs in Flight.” Disability Scoop, Disability Scoop, 5 Nov. 2024, http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2024/11/05/delta-seeks-approval-for-seats-to-accommodate-wheelchairs-in-flight/31146/. 

Harpur, Charlotte. “‘disgrace’ That Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson Had to ‘Crawl off’ Train – Paralympicsgb Chief.” The New York Times, The New York Times Company , 28 Aug. 2024, http://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5728667/2024/08/28/tanni-grey-thompson-train-paralympics/. 

Jackson, Patrick. “Paralympian Leads Effort to Improve Travel for Disabled People.” BBC News, BBC, 7 Nov. 2024, http://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62j810dlnmo. 

Rhodan, Maya. “United Sorry for Forcing Disabled Man to Crawl off Plane.” Time, Time, 27 Oct. 2015, time.com/4088493/united-disabled-man-crawl-off-plane/. 

Sampson, Hannah. “Delta Unveils First Wheelchair-Friendly Seat.” The Washington Post, 14 June 2023, http://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/06/06/delta-wheelchair-seat/.