Internet Sparks Fury At Flight Attendant Who Called Security On Disabled, Elderly Passenger Asking For Help

A flight attendant just went viral on video over her “cruel” behavior toward a disabled passenger.

The post sparked massive online outrage, with commenters demanding the attendant be disciplined for her “abusive” behavior and “power trip.” 

Fellow travellers described the passenger as kind and composed, while the flight attendant was accused of being aggressive and unprofessional.

An elderly, disabled passenger was scolded by a flight attendant on a United Airlines flight

Airplane in flight representing airline incident involving flight attendant and disabled passenger.

Image credits: Haydn / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

On Monday, April 21, a Reddit post quickly became the subject of discussion on the social media platform. The post featured a story about a cold-hearted United Airlines flight attendant and an elderly passenger in need of assistance. 

The elderly woman, a first-class passenger sitting at the plane’s bulkhead where there is no storage underneath the seats, was carrying only a small purse and a collapsible cane. According to the post, she politely asked a United Airlines flight attendant for assistance placing her items in the overhead storage, but was quickly turned down and scolded on account of “union rules.”

The elderly woman asked the flight attendant to help her put her things in the overhead storage

Airplane passengers disembarking, flight attendant controversy involving disabled passenger assistance.

Image credits: Christian Lambert / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

The attendant allegedly went into a defensive tirade, loudly refusing to help and citing union rules. The attendant said, “Absolutely not, I cannot do that due to union regulations, what if I get injured, ma’am, ma’am!”

As passengers looked on in disbelief, the situation quickly escalated—the plane returned to the gate, security personnel arrived on board, and the flight attendant allegedly tried to have the woman removed from the plane, claiming she had made her feel “uncomfortable.”

The flight attendant refused the passenger’s request and claimed she made her feel “uncomfortable”

Flight attendant assists passengers with overhead luggage on an airplane.

Image credits: Pew Nguyen / Pexels (not the actual photo)

According to the witness who posted the story on Reddit, the passenger kept her cool and said she is a frequent flier who has never experienced such behavior from any member of the cabin crew. She then explained that she was only asking for help because she is disabled and could not reach the overhead storage on her own.

However, the flight attendant continued throwing a fit, calling the disabled passenger“unreasonable.” That’s when another passenger intervened. Following the incident, “The [flight attendant] then angrily slammed the bins closed and stomped back to her jump seat.”

The plane had to return to the gate over the flight attendant’s complaint about the elderly passenger

Flight attendant in blue shirt talking to passengers in plane cabin, related to incident with disabled woman seeking help.

Image credits: mildlyburner / Reddit

Just as everything was set and the plane was about to take off, the aircraft started heading back to the gate after the pilot’s announcement that “there had been an incident.”

The vulnerable passenger was then approached by security guards, who reportedly told her that the flight attendant was uncomfortable because she was “talking down” to her. The Redditor explained, “Everyone around was stunned – it was exactly the opposite (the FA was the one who was being aggressive and yelling at this poor old lady).”

The passenger explained the situation to the security guards, who quickly realized she wasn’t a threat

Flight attendant in blue shirt leaning forward inside an airplane cabin, addressing a situation.

Image credits: mildlyburner / Reddit

After the elderly woman told the guards about the incident, they quickly realized she was not a threat. The plane was then made ready for takeoff once again. The redditor said that after all the ruckus, the same flight attendant made a safety announcement in an “eerie, overly cheerful, almost sociopathic-sounding voice” as if nothing had happened. 

The story received a wave of comments and reactions from online users who felt for the disabled elderly passenger who just needed some help. 

Online users were frustrated with the heartbreaking story of the passenger

Flight attendant and passengers in discussion onboard, with focus on a seated woman, highlighting airline incident.

Image credits: mildlyburner / Reddit

One user replied to the post, saying, “This employee needs to be removed from service. Being abusive under the cloak of authority is one of the worst traits in a human. Doubly so when done against a handicapped and elderly person.” 

Another was stunned about the whole thing, saying, “I’ve literally never seen an FA not help in this exact situation.” 

Sadly, another disabled passenger chimed in, saying, “It’s happened to me a couple of times. Welcome to the world of being disabled, where you’re blamed for inconveniencing everyone else because of your disability.”

Most users called for the flight attendant to be fired from United Airlines

Just witnessed really upsetting incident with a disabled elderly passenger and United flight attendant
byu/mildlyburner inunitedairlines

Most users called for the flight attendant to be fired. One said, “I’m sure you could file an anonymous report. Flight attendants like that don’t deserve their jobs.”

Another added, “This is an example of a ‘little tyrant’, someone who has little power in their personal life, so they abuse the little power they get in their job. This person should be fired.”

“FA sounds like a sociopath trying to get the elderly, disabled lady kicked off flight and then the manner in which she gave the safety announcement after security boarded and decided there was no threat,” another wrote.

Flight attendant reacts aggressively to passenger filming onboard.

Image credits: chihyechung / TikTok

A fourth added, “What a complete psycho of a human being, first behaving like that to an old lady and then to make it 1000000x worse, calling security on her on false pretenses.”

Another person claimed the attendant was on a power trip, saying, “FA wanted her kicked off the plane. Power tripping.”

Back in November, another passenger had a hard time with the cabin crew on a flight

Pilot stands beside text about interaction with "psycho" flight attendant involving a disabled woman seeking help.

Image credits: chihyechung / TikTok

This is not the first time a flight attendant has had a feud with a passenger. In November 2024, voice actress Charlet Chung shared a viral TikTok describing what she called the “most distressing, dehumanizing experience” she’s had on a flight.

During a WestJet trip, Chung said a man behind her repeatedly kicked her seat and cursed at her. When she asked a flight attendant for help, she was instead threatened with removal, forced to switch seats, and allegedly harassed by crew members. Chung, who is Asian American, accused the airline staff of discrimination and has since filed a complaint with WestJet.

Online users rushed to the comment section to call out the flight attendant’s behavior

Comment highlights frustration with flight attendant's treatment of disabled passengers.

Online comment criticizing flight attendant's actions towards a disabled passenger.

Comment criticizing a flight attendant for allegedly misusing power against a disabled passenger.

Comment discussing challenges of being a flight attendant, emphasizing emotional stress in public service roles.

Comment by learnedpizza labeling flight attendant's actions as vile behavior.

“Comment about flight attendant wanting passenger removed, mentioning power trip.”

Comment criticizing flight attendant's response to a disabled woman's request for help.

Text from a flight attendant condemning a colleague's behavior towards a disabled woman, discussing in chats.

Online comment criticizing flight attendant's reaction to disabled woman's request.

Comment discussing flight attendant and help situation.

Comment criticizing flight attendant for unfair treatment of disabled passenger.

User comment criticizing flight attendant's actions in a heated online discussion.

Comment criticizing flight attendant's reaction to disabled passenger.

Comment expressing shock about a disabled woman's experience with a flight attendant.

Text exchange discussing a flight attendant calling security on a disabled passenger seeking assistance.

Text from a user discussing experiences of being blamed for inconveniencing others due to disability.

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!