Woman claims flight attendant refused to let her store her wheelchair on plane
A woman claims a flight attendant refused to properly store her wheelchair on a flight.
Maayan Ziv found herself frustrated and concerned when a flight attendant said she would not store her wheelchair away in the cabin.
Despite a legal requirement in the US to put foldable wheelchairs in the cabin closet so they are safe and undamaged, the disability advocate was told there was no room.
Maayan was left concerned that the chair would be damaged during the flight if not properly put away, having previously spoken about it being lost and damaged during other trips.
"I just had another fight with a flight attendant, she told me that my wheelchair is a dangerous good and it can't be stored in the closet in the plane in the cabin," she claimed in a TikTok video from the plane.
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"It is actually the law that it should take priority. The closet was filled with her suitcase and her purse.
Maayan is a vocal advocate for wheelchair users (Getty Images/iStockphoto)"She told me she wasn't going to fight about it and when I told her that I've had broken wheelchairs in the past she said 'Well if it's broken we'll just pay for it'. Thanks Air Canada, feel nice."
Maayan lives with muscular dystrophy and is an avid advocate for people with disabilities, particularly when it comes to traveling.
She is one of an increasing number of people who are speaking out about the challenges they face when moving through airports and travelling on planes with a wheelchair.
Earlier this year Loose Women's Sophie Morgan was left stranded when airport staff destroyed her wheelchair by mistake.
She is now launching her RightsOnFlights campaign where she will be lobbying the government to implement a number of imperative legislative changes within the aviation industry in the UK.
As well as previously having her own wheelchair damaged, Maayan says she regularly confronts flight attendants who don't seem fully aware of the law and disabled people's rights.
"These are the kind of travel experiences people with disabilities are having every day," she added in her video.
In a bid to help others navigate such situations Maayan founded an app that maps the accessibility status of various locations called AccessNow.
In a later TikTok, the campaigner said she had filed a complaint against Air Canada following the incident.
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According to official Canada Transport Agency regulations, aircraft with 100 or more seats "should have a priority space in the passenger cabin designated for stowage of at least one manually-operated folding or collapsible wheelchair owned by a passenger".
In the UK there are a specific set of laws regarding travel with a wheelchair, which are set out on the Civil Aviation Authority's website.
"If you're a passenger with a disability or reduced mobility you are legally entitled to support, commonly known as 'Special Assistance', when travelling by air," part of the website reads.
"This means airports and airlines must provide help and assistance, which is free of charge, and helps ensure you have a less stressful journey."
According to the CAA, "Help is available from the moment you arrive at an airport".
Air Canada has been contacted for comment.
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