October 6, 2025 at 10:55 am

A Mom Called Out American Airlines For Making Her Special Needs Daughter Crawl Off A Plane

by Matthew Gilligan

woman crawling on a plane

TikTok/@susangrove

Folks, this is not pretty…

In fact, it might even make some of you angry.

A mom named Susan posted a video on TikTok and showed viewers what happened when American Airlines employees couldn’t accommodate her special-needs daughter on a flight.

woman crawling on a plane

TikTok/@susangrove

In the video’s text overlay, Susan wrote, “The Aisle Chair never came, so our special needs daughter had to crawl off the plane”

In the caption, she wrote, “This cannot happen to special needs people/families.”

In a comment, Susan added, “We tried to carry her, but she is 150 pounds and carrying her down the small aisles is very difficult.”

disabled woman crawling on plane

TikTok/@susangrove

In another comment, Susan wrote, “Also, I am videoing so this never happens again and, yes, you can hear me encouraging because we had just finished a 7 hour flight (and a horrible 4 days of travel with AA) and I know she was exhausted.”

Jeez!

woman on a plane

TikTok/@susangrove

Check out the video.

@susangrove

This cannot happen to special needs people/families. Also; we tried to carry her but she is 150 pounds and carrying her down the small aisles is very difficult. #americanairlines #notokay #viral #spreadtheword

♬ original sound – Susan Grove

Susan posted a follow-up video and said that American Airlines offered her, her husband, and her daughter $75 each, but she told them that wasn’t good enough.

@susangrove

American Airlines First Reseponse 👎. I forgot to share that she did say they were launching an investigation about aisle chairs. I will keep you all posted! Thank you again! #americanairlines #specialneeds #spreadtheword #travel

♬ original sound – Susan Grove

In another follow-up video, Susan told viewers that the airline eventually refunded her daughter’s ticket.

@susangrove

American Airlines Update 2. Thank you for all the support! More to come… @American Airlines #specialneeds #travel #dobetter #americanairlines #family

♬ original sound – Susan Grove

TikTokkers shared their thoughts.

This viewer was upset about this.

Screenshot 2025 09 01 at 2.31.24 PM A Mom Called Out American Airlines For Making Her Special Needs Daughter Crawl Off A Plane

Another person didn’t hold back.

Screenshot 2025 09 01 at 2.31.40 PM A Mom Called Out American Airlines For Making Her Special Needs Daughter Crawl Off A Plane

And this TikTokker shared their thoughts.

Screenshot 2025 09 01 at 2.32.01 PM A Mom Called Out American Airlines For Making Her Special Needs Daughter Crawl Off A Plane

This is outrageous!

If you liked that story, check out this video from a former Chipotle employee who reveals how the company cheats customers out of food.