08/30/2026
American Airlines
Hello, friends! I hope you’re all doing well.
It has been a wonderful summer filled with exciting changes. As many of you know, I’m in a new relationship and couldn’t be happier to begin this next chapter of my life as a budding professional, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
Traveling with a disability has always presented challenges—both big and small—but those challenges have never stopped my family and me from traveling. They have simply changed the way we plan and prepare.
As my life continues to evolve in positive ways, I’m excited to share that I’ll be doing much more domestic and international travel. Part of beginning a new relationship is embracing new adventures and learning how to navigate life’s challenges together as a unit: me, my partner Patrick, and Indy V. Sounds simple enough, right? Guess again.
After receiving my passport, we immediately booked a trip to Canada. We wanted to make sure that Indy and I could travel comfortably while also taking advantage of a good fare. After researching our options, Patrick and I chose American Airlines because they offered a reasonable itinerary with only one layover in Chicago before continuing on to Toronto.
The itinerary included a one-hour layover on the way there and a two-hour layover on the return trip—manageable for my first flight as an independent disabled traveler.
Unfortunately, we soon encountered a major problem.
When booking the flight, I entered the information for my motorized wheelchair. However, the airline’s system provided only one general wheelchair option and did not ask for specifications such as whether the chair was manual or motorized, or whether its dimensions would fit the aircraft.
The system allowed me to complete the booking, leading us to believe that everything had been properly accommodated.
A few days later, I called American Airlines to confirm the arrangements. That was when I was told that the aircraft could not accommodate my wheelchair because it was “too tall.” I was devastated.
American Airlines offered to reroute me through Charlotte, North Carolina, with a six-hour layover. Although this option was not ideal for me and Indy, we were willing to consider it. We later learned that the alternate aircraft could not accommodate my wheelchair either.
As a result, we requested a full refund. Despite approximately 25 calls to the airline’s disability assistance line, we still have not received all of the money we are owed.
I’m sharing this experience to inform other travelers with disabilities and to urge American Airlines to improve its booking and accessibility procedures. Passengers should be given clear, accurate information about wheelchair compatibility before completing a reservation. When an airline cannot provide the transportation purchased because of aircraft limitations, passengers should receive the full refund to which they are entitled.
We are still planning to travel during the holidays—we’ll simply be taking a different route: Greyhound.
Travelers with disabilities deserve reliable information, accessible transportation, and fair treatment from the beginning of the booking process through the end of their journey.
