Liz Weir MBE (73), from Cushendall, was due to be a guest speaker at a literary event in Edinburgh on Friday evening.
But despite arriving early that morning for the 1pm flight to ensure she could use the special assistance service, checking in on time and getting to the gate early, the pensioner was left on the tarmac, leaving her missed the event.
EasyJet has apologized for what happened and has launched an investigation to determine exactly what happened.
“A lady in a high-viz jacket came and took me and another wheelchair user to the runway as the passengers were boarding at the gate,” Ms Weir explained to the Belfast Telegraph.
“We waited for everyone to get on and thought it was our turn now, but then the stairs were taken off the plane and they closed the doors.
“We sat there waving and shouting at the pilot.
But he shook his head to say no and just continued with my suitcase in the hold.
“All healthy people were on board and we stayed behind. What else can you call it than discrimination?”
Ms Weir, who performed in prisons and hospital rooms during the Troubles and around the world, was visibly distressed by the “shocking” incident and spent much of the day in tears.
“I was a basket case,” she added.
“I’m in my 70s, I have a heart condition and I don’t need the stress – and believe me, when you see your plane going backwards without you in it, it’s very stressful.
“A bus may drive past you at the bus stop, but you don’t expect a plane to leave without you when you are being scanned and waiting at the gate.
Liz Weir MBE
“I thought a plane taking off with the luggage of a passenger who was not on board was a major safety risk.”
The author is also annoyed that paying ticket holders who expected to hear Irish tales of magic and enchantment at the Penicuik Community Arts Association have been disappointed.
“People paid money to come see me, but I’m not even here,” she said.
“My daughter pointed out that you’re not Taylor Swift, but that’s not the point.
“Luckily I’m a storyteller and I was able to tell them what happened.”
Ms Weir’s post on social media has attracted hundreds of comments from users expressing their shock and disgust.
“But the airport staff, including the manager on duty, were kind and apologetic – they are shocked and have promised a full investigation,” the former librarian stressed.
“I cannot blame easyJet for the actions of one person, but I do expect to be compensated for the inconvenience, stress and loss of income.
“I would like to speak to the pilot who looked down and saw two people in wheelchairs and a woman in a high-viz jacket waving and shouting, but decided to just fly away and leave them behind.”
The disillusioned passenger was booked on a flight leaving at 8pm on Friday, allowing her to fulfill her weekend plans and attend a separate event in Glasgow on Monday.
“I have friends coming to pick me up but I will have to find my bag when I get to the airport so I told them not to rush,” Ms Weir said.
“Who knows how long I’ll be there?”
A spokesperson for easyJet told this newspaper “we are very sorry” that the flight departed without three passengers who were being escorted by the airport’s special assistance provider.
“We have urgently contacted the operator and our ground handling team to understand why this has happened,” a spokesperson for the budget airline added.
“We are doing everything we can to help passengers and are arranging flights to Glasgow and Edinburgh later this evening [Friday] to get them to their destination as quickly as possible, and our team took care of them the entire time and provided them with refreshment vouchers while they waited for their new flight.
“We will also process the compensation they are owed.
“The well-being of our customers is our top priority and we deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
Belfast International Airport has been contacted for comment.