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Southwest apologizes after blind passengers left behind during New Orleans flight delay

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Southwest apologizes after blind passengers left behind during New Orleans flight delay
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Robert Jordan CEO at Southwest Airlines | Official Website

Two blind passengers, Camille Tate and Sherri Brun, were left behind by a Southwest Airlines flight in New Orleans after a gate change went uncommunicated during a lengthy delay. The incident occurred on July 14, 2025, when the women were scheduled to fly from Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on flight WN 2637. Their original flight was delayed by nearly five hours for undisclosed reasons.

During the delay, most passengers were rebooked onto another flight departing from a nearby gate. However, Tate and Brun were not informed of this option and missed their connection. According to reports, they later traveled alone on an alternative flight arranged by Southwest Airlines.

A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines told FOX 35 Orlando: “We apologize for the inconvenience. Southwest is always looking for ways to improve our Customers’ travel experiences, and we’re active in the airline industry in sharing best practices about how to best accommodate Passengers with disabilities.”

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The experience prompted both women to speak out about accessibility issues faced by travelers with disabilities. Sherri Brun told FOX 35 that improvements are needed in how airlines communicate with passengers who require special assistance: “there needs to be some improvement in how they communicate with their passengers, especially those that have disabilities.”

The incident highlights broader concerns within the airline industry regarding support for travelers with disabilities. In late 2024, the United States Department of Transportation fined American Airlines $50 million after finding multiple violations related to mobility-impaired passengers between 2019 and 2023. The investigation revealed unsafe physical assistance and repeated failures in providing timely wheelchair support (https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-fines-american-airlines-4-million-violating-tarmac-delay-rule).

Legal action has also been taken against airlines over accessibility issues. Earlier this week, Illinois resident Kelsey Brickl filed a lawsuit against American Airlines seeking up to $216,000 following an incident where an online check-in glitch restricted access for disabled travelers at Paris airport. Brickl relies on a powered wheelchair due to severe cardiac and neuromuscular impairments and claims that American Airlines failed its legal obligation to maintain accessible online services.

Southwest Airlines operates as a low-cost carrier based in the United States with major hubs including Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Dallas Love Field, Denver International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Houston Hobby Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Midway International Airport, Oakland International Airport, Orlando International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Robert Jordan serves as CEO of Southwest Airlines.

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