STRIFE-HIT United Airlines forced a disabled 94-year-old woman out of business class on a 16-hour flight because cabin crew refused to help her with her needs, her family claims.
The family of Paz Orquiza paid £2,800 for the ticket from Los Angeles to her home in Melbourne, Australia, to make her more comfortable as she has severe arthritis and a degenerative bone condition in her neck.
Her granddaughter Marianne Santos Aguilar says staff from United Airlines – which has been blasted after a recent viral video of a passenger being dragged from a plane emerged – would not allow Mrs Orquiza’s daughter Rose, who travelled on the same flight in economy, to help the elderly woman, but refused to help her themselves.
Instead, Rose was forced to move Mrs Orquiza into economy.
Last month Ms Aguilar vented her anger on Facebook, saying: “My aunt tried to comfort my grandmother, who was in tears, and was horrified to see how much pain she had to endure during this flight.
“Upon arrival to Australia, my grandma’s legs had swollen, she suffered from a stiff neck and her whole body ached.
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“She is still in great distress and pain from this ordeal.”
Marianne added that the Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel and requires air carriers to accommodate the needs of passengers with disabilities.
The family were given £400 in travel vouchers – but say they will not use them – and a refund of £690.
She added: “Humanity and compassion are lacking with this airline, who only cares about their bottom line.
“My aunt was told by another passenger that grandma’s original seat was given to someone willing to pay for an upgraded seat.”
United has been contacted by Sun Online for a comment.
United Airlines had a billion dollars wiped of its value at one point after a video of a doctor being dragged off a flight so airline staff could have a seat went viral.
Dr David Dao, 69, was seen with blood pouring from his mouth after being physically hauled off the overbooked flight.
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