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The altercation, recorded and disseminated online, shows Perry grabbing Rombola’s hair and verbally abusing her.
The crazed woman, who was slurring her words, was detained by several passengers. (Image: X)
A Southwest passenger claims she was assaulted by a drunk individual before a flight at LaGuardia Airport and is now suing the airline, alleging that its “free-for-all seating policy” contributed to the incident.
Livia Rombola was on Southwest flight 779 heading to Kansas City, Missouri, when she was attacked by 32-year-old Leanna Perry. The attack, which occurred on August 25, led Rombola to file a lawsuit against the airline and Perry in New York State Supreme Court in Brooklyn.
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The altercation, recorded and disseminated online, shows Perry grabbing Rombola’s hair and verbally abusing her. Perry, appearing intoxicated and slurring her words, was restrained by passengers and flight attendants, zip-tied, and removed from the aircraft.
Rombola claims she suffered “serious, severe and painful personal injuries,” some of which are permanent, and experienced “extreme embarrassment and ridicule” following the video’s viral spread.
The lawsuit argues that Southwest’s unassigned seating policy, which allows passengers to choose seats on a first-come, first-served basis during boarding, deviates from industry standards and fosters conflicts among passengers.
According to the suit, Southwest’s lack of proactive seat assignments directly contributed to the confrontation. The airline organises passengers by boarding groups but lets them pick any seat on the plane. In July, Southwest announced it would end the “pick any seat” policy effective January 26, 2026.
The suit also contends that Southwest failed to intervene and prevent Perry, who was visibly intoxicated, from boarding, thus violating FAA regulations and failing to protect Rombola from foreseeable harm.
Perry is accused of intentionally attacking Rombola, causing physical injury, emotional distress, and psychological trauma. The repeated exposure to the viral video has prolonged Rombola’s recovery, invaded her privacy, and caused reputational harm and social stigma, New York Post reported.
Rombola seeks an unspecified amount in damages that “exceeds jurisdictional limits of all other courts in New York State.”
Joel J Turney, Rombola’s attorney, stated to The Independent that the case against Southwest is strong, particularly due to their unusual seating policy, which was a significant factor in the incident.
Perry faces charges of resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, disorderly conduct, three counts of harassment, and three counts of attempted assault. She pleaded not guilty and was released, with a court appearance scheduled for September 3.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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