'Discriminatory': Disabled BBC journalist forced to crawl on floor due to airline's 'no wheelchair policy'

Although frustrated, Frank Gardner acknowledged the efforts of the cabin crew who were as helpful as they could be.

A British journalist and BBC correspondent, Frank Gardner, who lost the use of his legs following a 2004 attack while reporting in the Middle East, found himself forced to crawl across the cabin floor of a LOT Polish Airlines flight due to the airline's lack of onboard wheelchair facilities. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of disabled passengers in the aviation industry.

The incident occurred when Gardner was returning from Warsaw. During the flight, he needed to use the toilet but was informed by the crew that the airline did not provide onboard wheelchairs, leaving him with no option but to crawl along the floor. Gardner shared his experience on social media, calling the situation "discriminatory."

“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,” Gardner posted on X.

Wow. Its 2024 and Ive 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 dont have onboard wheelchairs. Its airline policy. If youre disabled and you cant walk this is just discriminatory. pic.twitter.com/aFuxo89DR5
Frank Gardner (@FrankRGardner) September 30, 2024

Although frustrated, Gardner acknowledged the efforts of the cabin crew, who, despite the circumstances, were as helpful as they could be. “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,” he added.

Gardner’s career as a foreign correspondent has seen him report from some of the world’s most dangerous regions. In 2004, while covering a story in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he was ambushed by Al-Qaeda gunmen, an attack that left him partially paralysed.

Following his post, social media users expressed sympathy for Gardner and voiced concerns about the treatment of disabled passengers. One user wrote, “Shocking – isn’t it time airlines are obliged to provide onboard wheelchairs to be able to hold licences to fly into international airports?” Another user commented, “Sorry, Frank. This is pretty tough on anyone and degrading. Thank you for your many years of great Middle East commentary and analysis. I have always appreciated your work and admire your stoicism.”

LOT Polish Airlines has not yet responded to the incident. However, Gardner’s experience has ignited an online debate, with many calling for urgent reforms within the aviation industry to address the needs of disabled passengers and ensure more inclusive practices.

"Would it be so hard to make a wheelchair that runs along the same gunnels that the trolleys do, and can lock in place if necessary so that wheelchair users can get to and from their seats? Pretty sure they would only need one per aircraft," one user stated.

Another user remarked, "How is this still happening in 2024?! Absolutely appalling."