Woman alleges that United Airlines crew attempted to make her remove her son’s ventilator

United Airlines issued an apology to a mother, Melissa Sotomayor, whose son relies on life-saving medical equipment, for the crew’s attempt to have her detach the ventilator during a flight from Tampa to Newark. Sotomayor shared her experience in a viral TikTok video, stating that the crew tried to make her remove her son’s equipment before takeoff. Despite providing documentation and medical clearance, she was told to store the equipment under the seat. When she refused, the captain deemed her son’s equipment as a danger, delaying the flight. Sotomayor felt humiliated and disrespected by the airline’s handling of the situation, prompting her to vow to never fly United again. United Airlines apologized to Sotomayor and acknowledged the incident but did not provide further details. Sotomayor expressed that the apology did not feel sincere, as she believes the crew mishandled the situation and failed to understand the significance of her son’s medical needs. The incident highlighted the challenges faced by families with medically complex children when traveling and the importance of airlines accommodating their unique needs with sensitivity and understanding.