A Ukranian soldier, injured during Russia’s invasion of his country, was kicked off of a Wizz Air flight from Tel Aviv to Warsaw because of his prosthetic leg. The airline says he either needed to be “fit to fly” on his own or “accompanied by someone” for support. He had reportedly been in Tel Aviv for medical treatment, and was traveling with gifts to visit family.
The man was removed from the flight after an hour and half, during which he was told “we are trying to solve this problem,” according to the user.
While waiting, the man yelled “how am I going to get home?” and at one point fell down as he was left waiting, according to the reports.
@mbbddk Он плакал и орал «как я вернусь домой?» он показал стюардессе рукзак в котором были исключительно подарки для его семьи которая наерняка его долго ждала. Прости рандомный мужчина из самолета. Ты герой.
@mbbddk Ответ пользователю @Марина ♬ оригинальный звук – hhhwvix
Wizz Air apologizes “for the upset” caused by their decision, but that they stand by it. It’s a bit like the initial response from United Airlines to David Dao’s being dragged off of a United Express flight and bloodied – apologizing ‘for the inconvenience Dao caused to other passengers’ in delaying the flight.
— Wizz Air (@wizzair) July 9, 2023
Wizz Air insists they acted compassionately by providing the wounded veteran with water after removing him from the aircraft.
The carrier says they made the decision because they prioritize safety. Their CEO, just last year, said he’s sick and tired of his pilots prioritizing safety. As a Bill Franke airline, not flying Wizz Air is usually better than flying Wizz Air. But it was how this man was supposed to get home from Tel Aviv to Warsaw.
(HT: John L)
Wow. Outrageous!
Thank you for highlighting this article and help disseminating this terrible incident. Shame on them.
Man’s inhumanity to man knows no boundaries, as we clearly see.
WIZZ is a heartless airline. Figures that the airline is based in a Neo-Nazi country. They go with each other. Heil Wizz!
This guy is fighting for the same freedom that allows Wizz Air to fly safely to many countries around the world. I’m done with Wizz Air. I deleted my account.
Will not fly Wizz Air anymore
What if it was a Russian soldier? Same sentiment?
“If there is any indication that a passenger has a medical condition that might put them at risk while flying, we are obligated to deny boarding.”
I wonder: do Wizz employees examine all passengers, or only those like the wounded soldier. After all, some prospective passengers may be at risk of a heart attack. A pregnant woman’s water might break. A passenger’s appendix might rupture. How can WIZZ be sure that a passenger is OK to travel w/o performing a thorough medical examination?
How arrogant: “Thank you for your understanding.” I’d like to believe that few if any of the passengers who did fly understood.
Shameful
@ CecilO.
Good Question. I suspect those with the Ukraine flag on their page may not be outraged if it was a Russian soldier.
Returning from Vietnam in 1968 I personally experienced the animosity toward soldiers when home in California.
It took years for some common sense, very much uncommon when making emotional arguments fueled by a tabloid media (if it bleeds it leads), to prevail.
That common sense . . . “hate the war but honor the warrior.”
So, I dug a little.
First of all, yes, I would be outraged if a Russian soldier was treated this way. They’re poorly-equipped conscripts and a lot have surrendered to Ukraine to get better food.
Second of all, the lesson here is that if you have a prosthetic, don’t fly Wizz Air.
The seat pitch is only 28″ (they claim 30″ but apparently people have measured it). The seats do not recline.
The only extra leg room seats are in the exit row. You can’t sit in the exit row with a prosthesis.
What actually appears to have happened is that he got on the plane, discovered he couldn’t fit in the seat because of the tight pitch and got upset. Then got called combative for getting upset…understandably so.
Which is not his fault. You can’t blame a guy for booking a cheap flight and if he was recently injured, then he wouldn’t know the nuances of flying with a prosthetic and that some airlines are just not a good choice. It *is* a safety issue if he can’t actually sit down in the seat, but the fact that the airline has no options for people with prosthetics who can’t fit in their standard seats…is an issue. WizzAir appears to be an all coach airline.
So the real tl;dr is WizzAir sucks, don’t fly them, especially if you’re disabled. I certainly wouldn’t get on one of their planes just from seeing the gross nickle-and-diming…and I’ve flown European low costs before and been fine with it. Not my first choice, but I’ll do it if they have the best routing.
Not RyanAir, though. And after researching this, not WizzAir.
No passenger was willing to say guess what I’m his travel companion?