Southwest Leaves Two Blind Passengers Behind New Orleans-Orlando Flight

Southwest Airlines apologized after two blind women, Camille Tate and Sherri Brun, were left behind at their gate during a nearly five-hour delayed flight from New Orleans to Orlando. While other passengers were rebooked on an earlier flight departing from a nearby gate, Tate and Brun were not informed of this option and remained waiting at their original gate, boarding later as the only passengers on their original flight. The women highlighted the airline's failure to effectively communicate gate changes and flight rebooking options to travelers with disabilities, stressing the need for improved assistance and communication. Southwest stated that customers must identify their need for assistance upon arrival and that employees are responsible for ensuring such passengers reach new gates if changes occur. Despite the inconvenience, the airline offered the women only a $100 travel voucher, denying a refund since they technically completed their scheduled flight. The incident has sparked criticism of Southwest's accommodation policies and raised awareness about the challenges travelers with disabilities face.