'I Denied Boarding a Flight Because I'm Disabled'
The Hollywood Reporter • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Actress Marissa Bode accused Southern Airways of denying her boarding due to her wheelchair, despite prior confirmation from the airline that accommodations could be made.
- Bode said the airline staff refused her boarding because their planes only have stairs and no mechanical lifts, which she called "blatant segregation" against disabled passengers.
- Southern Airways' policy states that their small aircraft are not required to provide mechanical lift devices under the Air Carrier Access Act, requiring passengers to be able to ascend and descend steps.
- After Bode's viral TikTok, the airline's mobility department director apologized and initiated an internal review, maintaining communication with Bode to improve future accommodations.
