Differently-abled UK journalist crawls on flight after airline fails to provide onboard wheelchair, shares pic

Frank Gardner, a British journalist and correspondent, faced a humiliating situation on a LOT Polish Airlines flight when he was forced to crawl across the cabin floor due to the airline’s lack of onboard wheelchair facilities. Gardner, who lost his legs after an attack by Al-Qaeda in 2004 while reporting in Saudi Arabia, was returning from Warsaw when the incident occurred.

In a post on X, Gardner expressed his shock, stating that the crew informed him there were no onboard wheelchairs available when he needed to use the toilet. “Wow. It’s 2024, and I’ve just had to crawl along the floor of this LOT Polish airline... This is just discriminatory,” Gardner wrote.

Wow. It’s 2024 and I’ve just had to crawl along the floor of this LOT Polish airline to get to the toilet during a flight back from Warsaw as “we don’t have onboard wheelchairs. It’s airline policy”. If you’re disabled and you can’t walk this is just discriminatory. pic.twitter.com/aFuxo89DR5

— Frank Gardner (@FrankRGardner) September 30, 2024

He acknowledged the cabin crew's efforts, noting they were apologetic, but highlighted that the airline's policy was the real issue. The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for LOT Polish Airlines to revise its policies to comply with EU regulations on disability rights.

In fairness to the cabin crew, they were as helpful and apologetic as they could be. Not their fault, it’s the airline. Won’t be flying LOT again until they join the 21st century.

— Frank Gardner (@FrankRGardner) September 30, 2024

Gardner’s distinguished career has seen him report from some of the world's most dangerous regions, including the 2004 ambush in Riyadh that left him partially paralyzed.

Reacting to the post one of the social media users, Sian Mexsom called it shocking. She posted, "That is shocking. So sorry to read this and I hope @LOTAirlinesUS make a full apology. Must contravene EU regs on discrimination for disabled people?"