Delta passenger's allergy ordeal sparks travel debate
Ellie Brelis, a 29-year-old actress and playwright, shared her frustrating story on TikTok about being removed from a Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston. In an emotional video, she described how airline procedures led to her being forced off the plane.
The traveller admitted that she always informs the crew about her allergy before the flight, pointing out where she stores EpiPens, life-saving medications for an allergic reaction. She did the same this time, but her request prompted a reaction she did not expect.
All because of a food allergy
"Somehow it kind of all just evolved really quickly to where there were so many different people involved. And I was really embarrassed and didn’t understand how it had gotten to be such a an ordeal because I’ve flown many, many times in my life and I’ve always done the exact same thing," she admitted in an interview with the NYPost. Despite trying to explain, Brelis claims that she was asked to leave the plane, and her luggage flew without her.
She posted a video on TikTok showing her frustration and disappointment with the situation. "Somehow I just got kicked off the plane for having an allergy," she said through tears. Brelis emphasized that she was flying home for a medical consultation due to serious health issues and did not understand why her case was treated so rigorously.
The passenger noted that she has flown with Delta Airlines for years, always informing the staff about her health condition, and had never experienced such an event before. "Am I the a–hole? Is this my fault? Should I not have said I have an allergy?", she asked her viewers.
Airlines have their procedures
After leaving the plane, Delta Airlines representatives informed Brelis that they needed to consult with Medair, a specialized medical service, to ensure she was fit to fly. Upon confirming that she had the proper medication, she was redirected to another flight, which, as she noted, was fully booked and did not guarantee safety.
According to Delta's rules, people with allergies should fill out appropriate forms or contact the accessibility team before flying. Despite attempts to accommodate passengers' needs, the airline cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.
Ultimately, the traveller flew with another airline
Brelis eventually cancelled her Delta flight and decided to travel with JetBlue, where she encountered no difficulties. Since posting the video on TikTok, many other people have shared their experiences with allergies during travel.
"I understand. I always have a risk when I fly, but flying is a part of life and I think we should all have the ability to do it, whether or not we can eat shellfish or peanuts," Brelis said in a NYPost interview.
