Disabled model says British Airways stopped her flying with them because she was travelling by herself - and is now considering legal action

Disabled model Samanta Bullock has revealed she was not permitted to board a British Airways flight as she was travelling alone and was told crew could not assist her.

As a result, she is exploring taking legal action against the airline - after describing the 'discrimination' she suffered.

Samanta took to Instagram yesterday to share details of her ordeal, which took place ahead of a journey with BA from New York to London .

She wrote: 'I booked my flight almost two months ago and arrived ready to travel independently, as I have done for years as a wheelchair user.'

She was travelling to take part in the Bullock Inclusion fashion show, as well as the UN's COSP Conference for the rights of people with disabilities.

Samanta continued: 'The explanation I was given was shocking. I was told that because I was travelling alone, the crew could not assist me to get to the toilet during the flight and could not evacuate me in an emergency.

'Let that sink in. I was not denied because of a ticket issue, a safety violation, or missing documentation.

'I was denied because I am disabled and travelling independently.'

Disabled model Samanta Bullock has shared she was not allowed to board a BA flight

'If disabled people are expected to travel with a companion, that means we must pay for two flights instead of one.

'We are effectively being charged more for the same freedom and opportunities that non-disabled passengers take for granted.

'I have travelled alone for years, nationally and internationally. I work, speak at conferences, teach, and run an organisation. Independence is not a luxury. It is a right.'

After hours of discussions, Samanta was eventually moved to an American Airlines flight 'without being asked' - and was again questioned if she could get to the toilet on her own.

She wrote: 'My question is simple: I believe this treatment may constitute disability discrimination, and I am exploring legal action to protect my rights and the rights of other disabled travellers.

'I have everything documented and recorded and fully will continue this discussion and sue them for all the time and significant discrimination I have suffered.'

She said British Airways did not permit her to board the flight as she was travelling by herself

Fellow disability advocate Sophie Morgan commented on the events in her Instagram story: 'Unfortunately this is not the first time this has happened and I doubt it will be the last time.

'If you can't hear from my voice, I am done with it. I cannot tell you how exhausted I am by airlines just being wilfully ignorant. They know what they're doing, they just don't care and it's heartbreaking for us all.

'I had this energy and this belief that I would do everything in my power to try and help this situation.

'After a couple of years, I just came to the conclusion that I don't know what we can do as a community, a demographic.'

She says after releasing her Rights On Flights campaign and documentary, a working group was set up to propose measures to improve the situation - but Sophie doesn't feel confident things will change.

Sophie explained: 'I get messages every day asking me for help ever since I started the campaign.

'Every day, this must be going to the airlines, and it feels like nothing happens.'

Samanta also indicated the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) is a law that makes it illegal for airlines to discriminate against passengers because of their disability.

As for the UK, if you have a disability or reduced mobility, you are legally entitled to assistance, free of charge, when flying from a UK airport on any airline or flying to a UK airport on a UK or EU airline, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

The CAA says: 'Assistance is available for but not limited to wheelchair users and those with physical disabilities, including reduced mobility and passengers with hidden disabilities such as autism or dementia.

'Help is available from arrival at the airport to reaching your destination, including moving through the departure airport, boarding and support during the flight, disembarking and flight transfers and navigating the destination airport.'

Readers flooded the comments section with support for Samanta, with one writing: 'I am so very sorry for what you are going through. It is terribly humiliating and shows once again how arbitrarily disabled people are discriminated against.'

Another wrote: 'I’m so sorry. There is no defence for this. We will all mobilise to help you make sure this doesn’t happen but we all know this is an every-day occurrence too.'

A third chimed in: 'This is outrageous! How on earth is this happening with a global airline in 2026? Who on earth made this decision?'

A statement from British Airways said: 'We are sorry for our customer's experience and are urgently looking into what happened. We remain in direct contact with the customer while we review the circumstances.'