An American Airlines customer took to social media to accuse the airline of allegedly failing to provide adequate service to disabled passengers.
Instagram influencer Savannah Magnolia (@meltingmagnolia) explained in a story on the platform what happened when she flew in her wheelchair.
The experience was not positive.
“Traveling with my wheelchair was smooth (I had it in the forward cabin storage area on all four flights this trip!), UNTIL one flight today…” the woman wrote on one of the story’s slides.
The text was accompanied by a photo of her in a wheelchair.
“One of my wheels is bent, all thanks to a dismissive, rude flight attendant,” the text continued.
How the wheelchair was destroyed
The woman claimed that the “wheelchair closet” in the front cabin would only fit a wheelchair if it was completely empty. The wheelchair also had to be easily disassembled. She claimed that on the first few flights of her trip, the flight attendants had no problem helping her stow her wheelchair.
However, on her last flight, she accused an airline employee of being rude and destroying her chair before takeoff.
“As the plane doors closed, we heard my wheels fall out of the closet and slam onto the floor from 12 rows away,” she wrote. “The lead flight attendant took parts of my chair out and tried to stuff his bags in there, despite being told not to do so by ticket agents and gate agents.”
Magnolia said another flight attendant was appalled by the employee’s behavior.
She said her wheelchair was all scratched when she finally got it back. The wheels were also bent and out of alignment.
“Upon landing and rolling away, we discovered that in addition to some new scratches, one of my wheels is now bent and wobbly as it no longer rolls smoothly,” the woman said.
These complaints are widespread
Many have expressed concerns on social media about how airlines handle wheelchairs.
Last year, a video of an airline employee mishandling a wheelchair went viral, sparking a lively discussion about the difficulties passengers face when traveling with their mobility aids.
In another case, a TikToker called out United Airlines after claiming the company did not properly store her wheelchair. In addition, she claimed the airline did not offer her preboarding or provide her with accessible seating on her flight.
“I am well aware that unfortunately there are many, many more catastrophic wheelchair damage incidents by airlines every day and I am so grateful that we had a mostly great travel experience, but my wheelchair was SAFE IN THE CABIN,” said a caption accompanying Magnolia’s story.
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently proposed a new rule that would hold airlines liable for damage to mobility aids.
According to an AARP article, “The proposal would require airlines that damage a wheelchair or delay its return to violate the Air Carrier Access Act and be fined.”
The Daily Dot reached out to Savannah Magnolia via direct message and comment on Instagram, and also emailed American Airlines for more information.
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