A disabled woman has spoken out about her humiliating experience with EasyJet after the airline demanded she provide medical evidence proving she was fit to fly - simply because she required wheelchair assistance.
Jade Dunworth, who lives with a debilitating health condition, found herself facing unexpected barriers when booking a flight from Bristol to Amsterdam. What should have been a straightforward process turned into what she describes as a "degrading interrogation" about her capabilities.
The Shocking Booking Process
When Jade attempted to book assistance for her wheelchair through EasyJet's special assistance form, she was confronted with a requirement that left her stunned. The airline demanded a doctor's note confirming she could travel safely without additional medical support.
"I was essentially being asked to prove I deserved to travel," Jade explained. "The implication was that my disability might make me unfit to fly, despite having travelled safely many times before."
A Pattern of Problems
This isn't an isolated incident for EasyJet. The airline has faced multiple complaints about their treatment of disabled passengers:
- Requiring unnecessary medical documentation
- Last-minute refusal of boarding
- Inadequate wheelchair assistance
- Poor communication about accessibility services
Jade's experience highlights what disability advocates call a systemic issue within budget airlines, where cost-cutting measures often compromise accessibility services.
Legal Obligations and Passenger Rights
Under UK aviation law, airlines have a legal duty to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled passengers. The Civil Aviation Authority states that carriers cannot refuse transportation on the basis of disability without valid safety concerns.
However, the line between reasonable safety precautions and discriminatory practices remains blurry, leaving passengers like Jade in difficult positions.
EasyJet's Response
When confronted about Jade's case, an EasyJet spokesperson stated: "We aim to ensure all passengers have a safe and comfortable journey. In some cases, we may request additional information to guarantee we can provide appropriate care."
They emphasised that their special assistance team works to support passengers with disabilities, but acknowledged that procedures are continually under review.
The Bigger Picture for Disabled Travellers
Jade's story reflects broader challenges facing the disabled travel community. Many passengers report similar experiences across multiple airlines, suggesting an industry-wide problem with how disability is assessed and accommodated.
"This isn't just about one airline or one flight," Jade says. "It's about changing attitudes and ensuring disabled people can travel with dignity and without unnecessary hurdles."
The incident has sparked calls for clearer industry guidelines and better training for airline staff handling disability assistance requests.
