American Airlines facing backlash after video shows baggage handlers throwing wheelchair

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American Airlines is under fire after viral video shows baggage handlers launching a passenger’s wheelchair down a ramp to the tarmac below.

The shocking video was shared on TikTok and shows one worker at the top of a baggage chute while his co-worker waits at the bottom.

The employee at the top launches the wheelchair down the metal ramp while his colleague makes no effort to stop the mobility device from crashing into a metal gate, flying through the air and bouncing on the pavement before it lands out of view.

The employee grabs it, wheels it over to a rolling dolly holding several other wheelchairs and hoists it on top of the pile.

At the bottom of the ramp, there appears to be broken pieces of baggage, wheelchairs and other items.

“Dang, after I saw them do this and laugh with the first two wheelchairs, I had to get it on film,” original poster haez93 captioned the clip.

“That is not what I’d call ‘handling with care’ for someone’s mobility device….”

The clip has been viewed three million times, with the TikToker saying the incident happened at Miami International Airport.

“Terminal E between gate E8 & E9,” Hae specified. “This was the 3rd wheelchair I saw them carelessly toss and let flip off like that.”

Commenters were livid, with most calling out how expensive wheelchairs can be.

“These chairs cost upwards of $3k plus,” one person wrote. “They aren’t easily replaceable and insurance only covers new chairs every five years.”

A second user commented, “My sister-in-law’s wheelchair was like $20,000… they should be way more careful with people’s legs.

Another added: “Imagine what we don’t see. I feel like the luggage handling should always be on full public display.”

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One person suggested, “American Airlines looks like you’ve got some a**holes to fire.”

American Airlines’ teams are reviewing the video and will be taking the “necessary next steps,” an spokesperson for the airline said in a statement to the New York Post.

“We recognize how important it is to support the independence of customers with disabilities by ensuring the proper care of mobility devices throughout their journey with us,” the statement read.

“This visual is deeply concerning and we are gathering more details so that we can address them with our team,” it continued. “We will continue to work hard to improve our handling of assistive devices across our network.”