Airline Apologizes to Disability Advocate Who Was Kicked Off Flight Over Wheelchair Motor

**Virgin Australia Apologises for Escorting Disability Advocate Off Flight After Wheelchair Dispute**

Virgin Australia has publicly apologised to disability advocate Shane Hryhorec following a distressing incident where he was removed from a flight due to a disagreement regarding the storage of his wheelchair power assist device, known as a SmartDrive. Hryhorec, who has C5 incomplete quadriplegia, experienced significant embarrassment and frustration when the flight crew disregarded his safety concerns.

The incident occurred on a flight from Sydney to Adelaide. In a video shared across social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram, Hryhorec recounts how the crew directed him to stow his SmartDrive under the seat in front of him. However, he explained that there was insufficient space to do so safely, particularly with his service dog positioned nearby. When Hryhorec informed the crew that he had successfully taken three previous flights with Virgin Australia without issue, a staff member responded dismissively, expressing disbelief.

Following a series of fairly aggressive exchanges, Hryhorec found himself offloaded from the plane in front of fellow passengers. Visibly distressed, he expressed, “I feel so upset, so angry that an airline would treat people this way,” highlighting that he expected better treatment for passengers with disabilities in 2026.

In light of the incident, Hryhorec has sought to raise awareness about the treatment of people with disabilities, stating that he has lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission. “This is a guide on how you should never ever treat people with disabilities,” he remarked following the incident.

Virgin Australia reached out to Hryhorec twice after the event, ultimately issuing an apology. In a statement to the Guardian Australia, Hryhorec acknowledged the airline’s efforts to take responsibility but expressed disappointment about the circumstances that necessitated the apology. “It’s nice to hear them take ownership… but I felt that the pressure was building on them and they had no choice,” he said. Hryhorec emphasised that the implementation of genuine changes should stem from moral obligations rather than reputational concerns.

Describing his ongoing use of the SmartDrive, Hryhorec revealed that he has utilised it for over 15 years without any prior complications. He detailed how the device is crucial for his independence, explaining that he had flown more than 300 times with it before the June flight where the complications arose. The current policy that required the SmartDrive to be stored under the seat was newly implemented, and Hryhorec was placed in a middle seat, making it impossible for him to meet the storage requirement.

A spokesperson for Virgin Australia offered their apologies to Hryhorec in their public communications, acknowledging that the way the situation was managed failed to meet the airline’s standard expectations, stating, “Mr. Hryhorec’s experience was below what we expect for our customers, and we are deeply sorry for the distress and frustration this caused him.”

The airline also clarified that Hryhorec’s device had not been declared prior to boarding and was incorrectly identified as a lithium battery rather than a mobility aid. As a result of this misclassification, the staff mistakenly informed him that the device could not be stored in an overhead compartment.

Hryhorec described the overall experience as “mortifying,” sharing that it was embarrassing to be seen being escorted off the aircraft in front of hundreds of fellow passengers. “It made me feel so small and so degraded. It is not any way you should treat a human being, ever,” he said.

The incident has sparked calls for an urgent review of Virgin Australia’s policies concerning passengers with disabilities, highlighting the need for sensitivity and understanding in airline operations, particularly as it pertains to individuals requiring mobility assistance. The response from both the public and advocates has underscored the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when navigating travel, provoking broader discussions about inclusivity and respectful treatment across the aviation industry.

As the airline commits to learning from this experience, Hryhorec’s call for change serves as an important reminder that every passenger deserves respect and dignity, no matter their circumstances.