Actress Claims "Blatant Segregation" on Small Airline

Actress Marissa Bode, known for her role in the "Wicked" movies, has publicly stated she was denied boarding a flight by Southern Airways. Bode, who uses a wheelchair, shared her experience in a TikTok video, expressing her distress over the incident.

She recounted that she was en route to a speaking engagement in a small Pennsylvania town. After an initial flight with United, her connecting flight with Southern Airways became problematic at the gate. Bode alleged that gate agents questioned her ability to stand and informed her she would be denied boarding.

The airline staff reportedly cited her wheelchair's weight and the aircraft's stairs as reasons for not allowing her to board. Bode challenged this, questioning if other disabled individuals had flown with them, and was allegedly told even the elderly found the stairs difficult.

Bode condemned the airline's actions, calling it "blatant segregation." She asserted that disabled individuals should not be an afterthought and questioned whether the airline deliberately avoided updating its planes to accommodate passengers with disabilities.

Southern Airways has been contacted for comment regarding Bode's allegations. The actress advised other disabled travelers to avoid flying with the airline.