A century old lady arrived instead of the child. The airline system refuses to accept old age

Ms Patricia, who did not want to reveal her surname, was born in 1922, but airline computers always change it to 2022. A BBC journalist accidentally witnessed such a mix-up, but passengers and crew managed to take the situation with a smile. “It was funny that they thought I was going to be a little kid and instead I’m an old lady,” Patricia said.

However, the more than a hundred-year-old woman would like to eliminate this flaw, which previously caused her to have a hard time. For example, once the staff was not prepared to arrange her transportation around the vast terminal because they were expecting a small child that they could easily carry in their arms. But they needed a wheelchair for the lady.

A BBC reporter flew on the same plane as Mrs Patricia between Chicago and Marquette in the United States. “My daughter booked me a ticket online – and the computer at the airport thought I was born in 2022, not 1922,” she said. “The same thing happened to me last year. They were also expecting a child, and not me,” she added.

The seat on the plane was reserved for an adult, but the airport’s computer system apparently couldn’t handle a date of birth that far in the past, so instead it set the date 100 years closer.

The former nurse, who flies to visit relatives every year to escape the winter to warmer climes, says that despite the initial confusion, airline staff are always friendly and helpful.

American Airlines did not respond to a request for comment.

An elderly lady traveled alone until she was 97 years old. “I have some vision problems now, so I wouldn’t want to be on my own,” said Patricia, who was accompanied by her daughter. She still enjoys flying and is already looking forward to the next flight in the fall.