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fullscreenAmerican Airlines’ reservation system changed a woman’s date of birth 100 years into the future. Archive image. Photo: Damian Dovarganes AP/TT
A 101-year-old who traveled with an American airline has repeatedly been mistaken for a child, writes the BBC.
The reason?
American Airlines’ computer system cannot handle the fact that Patricia, who does not want to give her last name, was born in 1922. Instead, the system chooses a date of birth 100 years later, namely 2022.
Patricia travels every year between Chicago and Michigan to visit family.
She says that the flight staff have been kind and helpful and that they were able to laugh about the incident. But the 101-year-old woman would like the problem to be fixed, as it has led to certain complications.
At one point, the flight staff had not arranged transport for her in the terminal, as they thought she was a baby who could be carried. Another time she was left last on the plane because the staff didn’t have a wheelchair ready.
The airline has not responded to the BBC’s request for comment.