Actress booted from delta flight over allergy alert drama
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.
9:03 AM EDT, October 11, 2024
The traveler admitted that she always informs the crew about her allergy before the flight, pointing out where she stores her EpiPens, which are life-saving medications in the event of an allergic reaction. She did the same this time, but her request prompted an unexpected reaction.
All because of a food allergy
"Suddenly, many people got involved. I was embarrassed and couldn’t understand why my allergy became such a problem, as I had flown many times before and never had issues," she admitted in an interview with NYPost. Brelis claims that she was asked to leave the plane despite trying to explain, and her luggage flew without her.
On TikTok, she posted a video showing her frustration and disappointment with the situation. "They kicked me off the plane because of 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 never had such an event occurred before. "Is it my fault? Should I not have mentioned the allergy?" she asked her viewers.
Airlines have their procedures
After leaving the plane, Brelis was informed by Delta Airlines representatives 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 offer her a guarantee of safety.
According to Delta's rules, people with allergies should fill out appropriate forms or contact the accessibility team before flying. Despite efforts to accommodate passengers' needs, the airline cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.
Ultimately, the traveler flew with another airline
Brelis eventually canceled her Delta flight and decided to travel with JetBlue, where she did not encounter any difficulties. Since posting the video on TikTok, many others have shared their experiences with allergies during travel.
"I understand that flights always involve some risk, but it’s part of life, and everyone should have the opportunity to travel, regardless of their allergies," Brelis said in an NYPost interview.
