When the Aisle Is a Barrier: Air Travel, Disability, and the Right to Dignity

BBC journalist and disabled war correspondent Frank Gardner, 63, recently endured a degrading experience while flying with LOT Polish Airlines. Paralyzed from the waist down after being shot by al Qaeda gunmen in 2004, Gardner was forced to crawl to the bathroom during a flight from Warsaw to London due to the airline’s lack of onboard aisle wheelchairs—part of their official policy.

Despite the professionalism and empathy shown by the cabin crew, Gardner had to drag himself along the floor of the plane, highlighting the lack of dignity and basic accessibility for disabled passengers. He shared his experience publicly, calling it “discriminatory” and “inhumane,” stressing that collapsible onboard wheelchairs are a simple solution many airlines already use.

For male patients managing urinary incontinence—many of whom may also have mobility limitations—Gardner’s story underscores the urgent need for improved accessibility and support in travel settings. Lack of access to toilets during flights not only compromises dignity but also leads to anxiety, isolation, and health risks. Gardner’s case is a powerful reminder of how essential it is to advocate for systemic changes that ensure respectful, inclusive care and infrastructure for individuals living with disabilities and incontinence.

Land, O. (2024, October 1). Airline forces disabled war correspondent to crawl to bathroom on plane because it bans wheelchairs. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2024/10/01/world-news/lot-polish-airlines-forces-bbcs-frank-gardner-to-crawl-to-bathroom-over-lack-of-wheelchairs/