Southwest Airlines Sued by Passenger Following Viral In-Flight Incident

DALLAS— A lawsuit from a Southwest Airlines (WN) passenger is challenging the airline’s long-standing open seating policy.

Livia Rombola, a Kansas resident, has initiated legal action against Southwest Airlines following a mid-flight assault by another passenger, identified as Leanna Perry. The incident occurred on Flight 779, traveling from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Kansas City International Airport (MCI).

Southwest Passenger Files Lawsuit

The lawsuit, lodged in New York State Supreme Court, alleges that the airline’s open seating policy contributed directly to the violent altercation.

The court documents state that Perry, described as intoxicated, acted aggressively during boarding before ultimately choosing to sit beside Rombola.

Shortly thereafter, she violently pulled Rombola’s hair, spat on her, and directed slurs at her. Footage of this confrontation quickly spread across social media, exacerbating Rombola’s distress.

Rombola’s lawyers contend that Southwest’s “free-for-all” seating system diverges from typical industry standards, thereby making such conflicts foreseeable. Attorney Joel J. Turney remarked that not having assigned seats contributed significantly to the incident.

The lawsuit also claims that Perry should not have been allowed on the flight due to her visible intoxication, which violates federal regulations against transporting clearly drunk passengers.

Incident Details

The confrontation unfolded shortly after 1 a.m. on June 17, 2025. Witnesses recounted that Perry vocally criticized the seating arrangements and then escalated to verbal and physical attacks on Rombola.

Efforts from both passengers and crew to de-escalate the situation were unsuccessful, leading to Perry being restrained with zip ties before being removed by law enforcement.

Police have charged Perry with multiple offenses, including attempted assault, harassment, and disorderly conduct. Each charge carries potential jail time. Perry has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial in Queens Criminal Court.

In addition to physical injuries, Rombola’s lawsuit highlights emotional and reputational harm stemming from the viral footage of the incident, which has caused her significant professional embarrassment.

The extensive sharing of this video on social media has intensified her trauma, according to her legal complaint.

Pressure on Southwest’s Seating Policy

Known for its unassigned seating, Southwest Airlines announced plans to transition away from this policy in January 2026, following customer feedback indicating that 80 percent prefer assigned seats.

While some travelers appreciate the flexibility of open seating, critics argue that it can lead to stress and conflicts during boarding.

Although the airline has not commented on the ongoing lawsuit, they previously confirmed that the disruptive passenger was removed promptly.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports indicate an alarming trend—over 1,000 incidents of unruly passenger behavior were documented on U.S. flights in 2025, raising serious safety concerns.

Conclusion

Rombola is seeking damages to be adjudicated in court. Meanwhile, Perry has about three weeks to file a formal response to the civil complaint, while also facing parallel criminal charges.

This case underscores the risks associated with airline boarding policies and raises critical questions about airline accountability for passenger behavior.

What do you think about the implications of such incidents for airline policies? Are changes needed to enhance passenger safety?