Mother Calls Out United Airlines After Son’s Ventilator Incident

United Airlines has apologized to a mother who felt “humiliated” when flight crew members attempted to force her to remove her son’s ventilator before takeoff.

Melissa Sotomayor shared her experience in a viral TikTok video, explaining that during their March 8 flight from Tampa to Newark, United staff insisted that her 2-year-old son’s life-saving medical equipment be stored before takeoff. Sotomayor, whose son was born prematurely and relies on a ventilator and tracheostomy tube, refused, emphasizing that the equipment was keeping him alive.

Despite having prior approval from the airline’s accessibility department and providing medical documentation, Sotomayor was repeatedly pressured by flight attendants. One crew member suggested she move seats if she did not comply. Another insisted that her son would “be OK” without the devices until the plane reached cruising altitude.

A passenger stepped in to support Sotomayor, and eventually, the flight captain got involved. He told her that the equipment posed a danger to other passengers and accused her of not following FAA guidelines—claims she disputed by presenting official medical clearance.

The flight took off over an hour late, and Sotomayor described the ordeal as humiliating. When United later contacted her with an apology, she found it insincere. The airline cited a “bulkhead seating problem,” though Sotomayor said that was never mentioned onboard.

Following the incident, Sotomayor vowed never to fly with United again.