Wheelchair rugby players share their harrowing experience with United Airlines after a canceled flight, highlighting issues with accessibility and the lack of proper support for disabled travelers.

A harrowing experience for a group of wheelchair rugby players traveling on United Airlines has shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by passengers with disabilities when flying.

The players, including Ryan Major, Noah Currier, and Seth McBride, were on their way home from the Paralyzed Veterans of America Wheelchair Rugby Invitational in Louisville, Kentucky, when their flight was delayed, then eventually canceled, due to a series of operational issues.

The ordeal, which involved long delays, multiple transfers, and uncomfortable aisle chair use, has left the athletes calling for urgent improvements to the way airlines accommodate travelers with mobility needs.

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On February 16, 2025, the flight from Louisville to Chicago was canceled after a combination of factors, including bad weather, a broken deicing machine, and crew timing out. What was meant to be a routine flight home for the athletes turned into a nightmare.

As many as 20 wheelchair users were on the flight, and the lack of preparation and communication from the airline caused significant delays in providing the necessary assistance.

The players were repeatedly taken on and off the plane, using aisle chairs that many of them described as physically harmful and uncomfortable.

“This is by far the worst experience traveling I’ve had. I’ve never had to resort to sleeping at the airport to get a continuation the next day,” Ryan Major said, reflecting on the ordeal.

The physical strain caused by the transfers left McBride with a minor pressure sore and raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of passengers who rely on wheelchairs for mobility.

One of the primary issues highlighted by the players was the lack of proper communication regarding the number of wheelchair users on the flight

. According to Currier, there was no way for passengers to indicate their need for special assistance when booking through third-party websites.

Even when the airline was made aware of the need for aisle chairs, only one was available, despite the fact that 20 wheelchair users were on the flight.

This led to frustrating delays, with the players having to endure the grueling process of getting on and off the plane multiple times, often waiting for long periods in between.

While United Airlines did manage to reunite the players with their mobility devices and baggage, the incident has highlighted the ongoing issues that disabled travelers face when flying.

United Airlines acknowledged the situation, stating that it wasn’t the experience they intended to provide their customers.

The airline’s spokesperson explained that the severe weather in Louisville was the primary cause of the flight’s cancellation, and they had made individual efforts to assist passengers with their wheelchairs.

However, the athletes’ experience raised questions about the airline’s preparedness and the way it handles such situations.

The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of accessibility and the need for improvements in how airlines accommodate passengers with disabilities.

In recent years, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has been working to enhance protections for disabled travelers, including increasing penalties for damaged or lost mobility devices.

However, despite some progress, many advocates for disabled individuals believe that airlines are not doing enough to ensure the safety and comfort of these passengers.

Some major U.S. airlines are even challenging the DOT’s new rules, arguing that the regulations are too broad and that certain situations, such as turbulence, can damage mobility devices without being the fault of the airline.

Heather Ansley, chief policy officer at Paralyzed Veterans of America, highlighted the unseen impact of these issues, pointing out that the process of getting on and off an aircraft is physically taxing for wheelchair users, often leading to injuries.

“Injury to the body is just as problematic as damage to the wheelchair,” Ansley stated, emphasizing the need for better protections and training for airline staff.

Alex Bennewith, vice president of government relations at the United Spinal Association, echoed these concerns, stressing that the lack of adequate training and preparation for handling passengers with disabilities is a serious issue.

The outcry from passengers and advocacy groups has prompted renewed calls for airlines to take responsibility for improving their services for disabled travelers.

Currier, McBride, and Major are all pushing for airlines to invest in better training for staff and to be held accountable for the challenges that disabled travelers face when flying.

“It’s about treating us like humans,” McBride said, urging airlines to prioritize the needs of their disabled customers.

The situation faced by these athletes is just one example of the broader challenges that disabled travelers face in the airline industry.

While some improvements have been made in recent years, many believe that more needs to be done to ensure that passengers with mobility challenges can travel safely and comfortably.

The players involved in the incident are now calling for action from both United Airlines and the DOT to prevent similar experiences from occurring in the future.

As the debate continues, it is clear that much work remains to be done to ensure that disabled individuals can travel with dignity and respect.

For now, the incident serves as a reminder of the need for better accessibility in the travel industry and the importance of ensuring that airlines are held accountable for providing proper accommodations for all passengers, regardless of their mobility needs.

The push for change is only gaining momentum, and the hope is that future flights will be more inclusive, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the same opportunities for travel without facing unnecessary barriers.