Ellie Brelis, a 29-year-old actor and playwright, recently shared her distressing experience of being removed from a Delta flight from Los Angeles to Boston due to her shellfish allergy. Despite informing the flight crew of her allergy and carrying multiple EpiPens for safety, she was forced to deplane, leaving her feeling dismissed and embarrassed. Brelis expressed frustration and disbelief in a tearful TikTok video, questioning why she was removed from the flight for having an allergy, as she had never faced a similar issue despite flying with Delta for years.
In the video, Brelis shared her frustration as she watched the plane she was supposed to be on take off without her, highlighting her sense of helplessness and confusion over the situation. She expressed concern over her safety and questioned whether she should have disclosed her allergy to the airline. Despite informing Delta staff of her allergy before and during boarding, she was escorted off the plane, while her luggage continued without her, leaving her feeling disconnected and disregarded by the airline.
Following her removal from the flight, Delta officials informed Brelis that they needed to contact a medical consultation service to determine if she was fit to fly. Despite carrying EpiPens, she was rebooked onto a redeye flight with no guarantees for her safety. Brelis expressed frustration over the airline’s handling of her situation, emphasizing that she had always been fit to fly and had taken necessary precautions to ensure her safety while traveling.
Ultimately, Brelis decided to cancel her Delta flight and flew home on a JetBlue flight without encountering any issues. She highlighted the struggles and confusion faced by individuals traveling with allergies, noting that many people have shared similar experiences with allergies while flying. Delta’s website advises passengers with allergies to contact the Accessibility Services team before flying, acknowledging that they cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment or prohibit other passengers from carrying allergenic products onboard. Brelis emphasized the importance of accommodating travelers with allergies while acknowledging the inherent risks of flying.
In conclusion, Brelis’s experience sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with allergies while traveling by air. Despite her efforts to advocate for herself and ensure her safety, she was removed from a Delta flight due to her shellfish allergy, leading to frustration and confusion. The incident sparked a conversation about the accommodations and support needed for passengers with allergies, highlighting the importance of airline policies and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of all travelers. Brelis’s story serves as a reminder of the complexities and obstacles faced by individuals with allergies when navigating air travel, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and understanding of these issues in the travel industry.
