Disability advocate forced off Virgin Australia flight over wheelchair motor storage dispute

Shane Hryhorec, who has C5 incomplete quadriplegia, travelled on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Adelaide when crew told him his portable wheelchair motor could not be stored under the seat in his row. He had flown on three Virgin flights earlier that week without issue, with the motor placed in the overhead locker. The crew offered to move him or store the battery elsewhere, but his service dog had to stay in the third row, preventing relocation.

Unable to find a suitable spot, Hryhorec was asked to disembark, an experience he described as humiliating. Virgin Australia issued a statement saying it remains committed to accessibility and will examine the circumstances to improve identification of seating and stowage needs. One outlet has sought clarification on the airline’s policy for portable wheelchair motors, awaiting a response.