Editor’s Note
This article describes a mid-flight medical emergency that led to significant disruption. We have updated the story to include the passenger’s subsequent public apology and her professional background.
A United Airlines flight in the US had to be pulled from service after a passenger suffered a severe medical issue mid-air, resulting in an emergency clean-up and the cancellation of the aircraft’s next scheduled journey.
The passenger, Meghan Reinertsen, later shared details of the incident on social media, where she apologized for the inconvenience caused to other travellers.
As reported by The Mirror, Meghan Reinertsen, an American national working as a writer and nanny, was returning to the US from Portugal when she began feeling unwell. After landing in Newark, she boarded a connecting flight to Indianapolis, but her condition worsened soon after take-off.
She experienced sudden stomach issues and had to rush to the restroom despite the seatbelt signs being on. The symptoms escalated quickly, making it difficult for her to manage the situation on board.
She also mentioned that she began to vomit and had to ask the cabin crew for help. A flight attendant handed her a sick bag and assisted her while she was in visible discomfort.
Due to the nature of the situation and the mess left behind, the airline cancelled the aircraft’s next scheduled flight. As per The Mirror report, a specialised cleaning team in hazmat suits was called in to disinfect the plane before it could be cleared for future use.
After returning home, Reinertsen posted a public apology online, acknowledging that her medical emergency caused a major disruption. The video quickly went viral.
As per the report, she also added, “This was not without pain and suffering,” referring to her own experience during the incident.
Though no medical report was cited, Reinertsen suspects her illness may have been caused by an undercooked burger she had in Portugal the night before flying, as mentioned in the report.
She described the initial discomfort as a “disturbance deep, deep” in her stomach, which intensified during her travel.
While airlines are equipped to handle medical situations during flights, cancellations due to such emergencies are uncommon. In this case, the decision to cancel the following flight and bring in a hazmat cleaning team was taken as a precautionary measure, in line with safety protocols.
The video, and Reinertsen’s open account of the situation, have drawn attention across social media platforms, with many reacting to both the disruption and the transparency with which she addressed it.