Passengers of Southwest Airlines have filed a lawsuit against the airline after being attacked by intoxicated travelers at LaGuardia Airport. They allege that the carrier’s “free-sitting policy” played a role in the incident.
One of the plaintiffs, Libya Lombola, was on Southwest Flight 779 tied up in Kansas City, Missouri, when she became a target of a violent assault by 32-year-old Reena Perry. This was detailed in a lawsuit submitted to the New York Supreme Court in Brooklyn on August 25.
The incident, which was captured on video and circulated online, shows Perry grabbing another woman’s hair while using offensive language.
Witnesses, including other passengers and flight attendants, managed to restrain Perry, who was then placed on a gurney and removed from the flight.
Lombola reports having endured significant and painful injuries from the attack, claiming some were permanent. The viral nature of the video has also caused her “extreme embarrassment.”
Hailing from Kansas, she asserts that Southwest’s policies contributed to the chaos. The lawsuit states that the airline’s unassigned seating arrangement allowed for disputes among passengers, ultimately leading to situations like hers.
According to Lombola, the airline’s policy is a “clear departure” from standard practices and mainly serves its own financial interests. The lawsuit argues that Southwest’s lack of structured seating assignments led directly to the altercation.
While Southwest announced plans to modify its seating approach by organizing passengers into groups for boarding, flyers still have the freedom to select their seats during the flight.
Lombola claims that Southwest failed to take action against Perry, who appeared visibly intoxicated when boarding.
Furthermore, the complaint alleges that the airline did not protect Lombola, allowing a clearly drunken passenger to board in violation of FAA regulations.
Perry faces charges of attacking Lombola that could allow the latter to claim for physical injuries, emotional distress, and psychological trauma.
Repeated exposures from the viral video have further complicated Lombola’s recovery, invading her privacy and resulting in reputational harm and social stigma. She is seeking an unspecified amount beyond the limits of New York courts.
“The plaintiffs have strong cases against Southwest, especially concerning the controversial free seating policy, which was a significant factor in this incident,” noted an independent source.
Perry resisted arrest and was charged with obstruction of government administration, disorderly conduct, multiple counts of harassment, and assault. She pleaded not guilty and has been released, with a court date set for September 3.
This incident has prompted Southwest Airlines to be contacted for comments.
