Anxiety Passenger Stranded in Airport Bathroom Sues Southwest

A federal lawsuit has been filed against Southwest Airlines by a 64-year-old passenger who alleges she was abandoned in an airport restroom, exacerbating her anxiety and panic disorder. The incident occurred on February 11, 2024, at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport during a connecting flight.

According to the complaint, the passenger had requested wheelchair assistance upon booking, which was confirmed. However, a Southwest employee allegedly refused her request and dismissed her pleas. She was eventually provided a courtesy cart, but the driver left her unattended in a restroom.

The lawsuit states this abandonment caused immediate and severe emotional distress, including panic symptoms and physical manifestations. The passenger claims Southwest's actions were extreme and outrageous, constituting conscious abandonment of a disabled passenger.

Southwest reportedly offered a $150 travel voucher as an apology, which the passenger deemed insufficient. The airline declined to comment, citing pending litigation. This case echoes a previous lawsuit against Southwest in 2019 involving a wheelchair-bound traveler denied assistance to the restroom.

The passenger, a resident of Seneca, South Carolina, has lived with anxiety and panic disorder for years, requiring medication and clinical care. She argues that while air travel is manageable with reliable assistance, delays or withdrawals of support predictably worsen her disabling symptoms.

She is seeking an injunction to compel Southwest to implement better policies and training for handling requested assistance during connections. The suit also seeks various damages, including compensation for emotional distress and past and future medical expenses.