Abby Lee Miller Blasts American Airlines After Wheelchair Returned in Pieces

Abby Lee Miller called out American Airlines on October 22, after claiming the carrier returned her motorized wheelchair in pieces following a flight from Mexico to Texas, leaving her to travel home in a push chair. nine.com.au reported that the 61-year-old reality personality slammed the experience as awful, noting that baggage handlers had to push her up into a van because she lacked her primary mobility device.

Wheelchair Returned in Pieces After International Flight

The incident occurred as Miller returned from a trip, according to her interview on the Virtual Reali-Tea podcast covered by Page Six. Miller stated that her motorized wheelchair arrived at 2 a.m. disassembled. The damage forced her to rely on an airport push chair to exit the terminal.

Miller detailed the baggage handling on Instagram, sharing 16 photos and videos of airport staff operating mechanized lifts. She maintained that she had warned airline employees against dismantling the lithium-ion battery during the transfer process. Global Repair Group eventually offered her a replacement wheelchair the following day, per her social media statements.

A History of Mobility Disputes and Legal Action

This conflict marks the second major public dispute between Miller and American Airlines. In 2019, she alleged that she fell out of her wheelchair at Pittsburgh International Airport during an airline-assisted transfer between chairs, an event that subsequently prompted a lawsuit against both the carrier and the airport facility, as noted by Page Six.

Abby Lee Miller highlighted that American Airlines faced a $50 million penalty from the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2024 for violations of passenger disability laws occurring between 2019 and 2023. American Airlines did not respond to requests for comment from Page Six regarding the recent damage.

Miller Promotes New Series While Managing Health Challenges

Miller has used a wheelchair since 2018 following emergency spinal surgery and a diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Although she is currently cancer-free and able to walk short distances with aids, she relies permanently on motorized mobility devices for longer distances.

The incident coincides with promotional rounds for her upcoming short-form reality series, Abby vs. Cathy: Hit the 8, which reunites her with former rival Cathy Nesbitt-Stein. The project premieres on ShortVydz on October 27.

Disclaimer: The views and cultural analyses presented in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Information regarding legal disputes or financial data is based on available public records.