Full Breakdown
Virgin Australia Removes Disability Advocate Over Wheelchair Motor
8/19/2026, 10:36:42 PM
Incident Overview
Shane Hryhorec, a 41-year-old disability advocate from Adelaide who lives with C5 incomplete quadriplegia, was taken off a Sydney-to-Adelaide Virgin Australia flight after crew instructed him to store the motor of his SmartDrive-powered wheelchair under the seat. Hryhorec said the row he was assigned offered no space for the device, and he could not relocate because his service dog needed to remain in the third row. The removal was captured on video that quickly went viral on TikTok and Instagram, drawing widespread attention to the airline’s handling of mobility-aid equipment.
Airline Response
Virgin Australia issued a statement apologising for the “confusion and frustration” and acknowledged that the motor had been incorrectly assessed as a lithium battery rather than a battery-powered mobility aid. The airline said its policy permits battery-powered equipment in the cabin when it meets dangerous-goods requirements and that the device had not been declared before boarding.
Advocacy and Regulatory Context
Hryhorec has lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission and indicated he will not withdraw it until the airline implements changes. The commission reported receiving more than 100 disability-discrimination complaints against airlines between 2016 and 2022. In 2024, the federal government released an aviation white paper that recognised systemic barriers for travellers with disabilities and called for enforceable disability standards for airlines and airports.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s nice to hear them take ownership of this – which airlines don’t typically do – but I felt that the pressure was building on them and they had no choice, which is a bit disappointing,” — Shane Hryhorec, disability advocate
- “Their rules had contradicted themselves so much that there is nowhere I can sit on the plane that I can actually put it [the motor] under the seat, according to their guidelines,” — Mr Hryhorec, disability advocate
- “So, everyone's watching me getting wheeled off, as they're apologising to all the passengers.” — Mr Hryhorec, disability advocate
What’s Next
The Human Rights Commission is expected to review Hryhorec’s complaint, and Virgin Australia has said it will assess whether its stowage guidelines need revision. Hryhorec has urged the airline to make substantive changes rather than act only to avoid brand damage.
