Virgin Australia apologises to disability advocate
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Virgin Australia apologised to disability advocate Shane Hryhorec after removing him from a Sydney to Adelaide flight over his wheelchair motor. The apology follows his complaint to the Australian Human.
Background
Shane Hryhorec, an Adelaide-based disability advocate with C5 incomplete quadriplegia, was removed from a Virgin Australia flight on August 18, 2026, after a dispute with crew about storing his portable wheelchair motor (SmartDrive) under his seat. He had flown over 300 times with the device without issue, but a new rule required it to be stored under the seat, which he couldn't do safely due to his allocated seat and service dog. The incident was recorded and shared on social media, gaining millions of views, and Hryhorec filed a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission.
How it unfolded
- Aug 18, 2026Shane Hryhorec was removed from a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Adelaide after a 20-minute dispute with crew over storing his wheelchair motor. He was escorted off the plane while an announcement apologised to other passengers for the delay.
- Aug 18, 2026Hryhorec shared a condensed video of the exchange on social media, which quickly gained millions of views. He told news outlets he felt humiliated and had not yet received an apology.
- Aug 19, 2026Virgin Australia issued an apology to Hryhorec, stating it remains committed to providing an accessible and inclusive travel experience. Hryhorec had also lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Virgin Australia apologised and said it is reviewing the incident, reaffirming its commitment to accessible and inclusive travel.
- Public
- Social media users, including former Gogglebox star Yvie Jones, expressed support for Hryhorec, with one commenting 'I'm so sorry Shane'.
Still unverified
Hryhorec's claim that he had flown over 300 times with the SmartDrive without issue is based on his own account. The specific new rule requiring the motor to be stored under the seat has not been independently verified.