southwest

Southwest Airlines Set to Assign Seats, Toss Open Seating Policy

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Southwest Airlines will no longer offer open seating. According to the airline, passenger preferences have changed, and the airline will meet the request by providing seating options, which is believed could positively impact revenue and financial performance.

According to the AP, the change comes at the same time as reports of a drop in second-quarter profits, an issue Southwest shares with American Airlines. Southwest notes a 46% profit deficient in comparison to last year, noting higher costs of labor, fuel, and more. The company made $367 million in the quarter.

American Airlines also reported dropping 46%, with over $700 million in revenue.

Southwest will also offer red eye flights, a first in its history. Those overnight flights will begin in February 2025.

The post Southwest Airlines Set to Assign Seats, Toss Open Seating Policy first appeared on The Source.

The post Southwest Airlines Set to Assign Seats, Toss Open Seating Policy appeared first on The Source.

Southwest Airlines Denies Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton Claims Of Discrimination: ‘She Did Not Comply’

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Pepa Sues Doctor for Botched Butt Job

Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton of the iconic rap group Salt-N-Pepa found herself at odds with Southwest Airlines. According to Pepa, she was unceremoniously kicked off her flight after refusing to give up a second seat she had purchased to accommodate her injured leg. The rap star claims that despite paying for two tickets, the airline insisted on reassigning her second seat to another passenger.

Pepa, who had boarded the Southwest flight with boarding passes marked “disabled,” explained that she needed the extra seat to stretch out her injured leg and travel comfortably. She recounted that Southwest agents attempted to move her into the bulkhead emergency row, a move she declined due to her inability to assist in an emergency—a stipulation for passengers seated in those rows.

“I paid for two seats because I needed the extra space for my leg,” Pepa told TMZ Hip Hop. “They tried to put me in a seat where I wouldn’t be able to help in an emergency. It didn’t make any sense. I wasn’t being difficult; I was trying to ensure my own safety and comfort.”

Southwest Airlines’ Response

Southwest Airlines, however, shared a different perspective. According to their statement to TMZ Hip Hop, Pepa did not comply with crew member instructions, prompting the airline to deny her boarding. The airline emphasized that their primary concern was the safety and comfort of all passengers on the flight.

“Initial reports from our teams indicate that Ms. Denton did not respond to crew member instructions,” a Southwest spokesperson told TMZ. “For the safety and comfort of all passengers, we had to deny her boarding.”

Potential Legal Action

Pepa has voiced her intent to explore legal options, suggesting potential violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “I believe there may have been ADA violations here,” she stated. “I’ll certainly be exploring my legal options regarding any potential discrimination against flyers with disabilities.”

A Broader Conversation

This incident has sparked a broader conversation about airline policies and accommodations for passengers with disabilities. Pepa’s experience highlights the challenges disabled passengers often face and raises questions about how airlines can better serve all their customers.

As this story continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Pepa’s potential legal actions will play out and what implications they might have for airline policies moving forward.

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Thoughts?

The post Southwest Airlines Denies Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton Claims Of Discrimination: ‘She Did Not Comply’ first appeared on The Source.

The post Southwest Airlines Denies Sandra ‘Pepa’ Denton Claims Of Discrimination: ‘She Did Not Comply’ appeared first on The Source.