\u201cWicked\u201d star Marissa Bode<\/strong> is looking out an airline after a shocking travel ordeal she says left her grounded due to her disability. The 25-year-old actress, who uses a wheelchair after being paralyzed in a childhood automobile accident, took to TikTok to accuse Southern Airways of refusing to let her board a flight, alleging she was denied access as a consequence of her inability to climb stairs.<\/p>\n Marissa Bode claimed that when she approached the gate for a connecting flight to Pennsylvania, airline staff questioned her ability to face before ultimately denying her entry. \u201cI got to the gate and was like, \u2018Hey, could you help me locate my boarding pass?\u2019 And the 2 people on the gate have a look at me and so they\u2019re like, \u2018Are you able to stand?\u2019 And I said, \u2018No.\u2019 They usually said, \u2018I\u2019m sorry, due to that we\u2019re gonna need to deny you boarding,’\u201d she claimed.<\/p>\n The \u201cWicked\u201d actress said she was told all passengers must climb stairs to board the aircraft, something she pushed back on within the moment. \u201cThey proceeded to inform me all of the planes inside this airline have stairs to get on the plane. Wild. Never heard of that before\u2026 You\u2019re telling me not one of the individuals who have flown in your plane before are disabled?\u201d the actress continued.<\/p>\n \t\t<\/p>\n Bode didn\u2019t hold back in her response, accusing the airline of discrimination and an absence of accessibility.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is blatant segregation,\u201d she claimed before questioning why accommodations weren\u2019t already in place, arguing that disabled passengers shouldn\u2019t be treated as an afterthought. \u201cDisabled people should not an afterthought. Why, knowing that disabled people exist, which y\u2019all clearly often forget, do you select to not update your planes?\u201d<\/p>\n Under the Air Carrier Access Act, airlines are prohibited from discriminating based on disability and are required to supply assistance boarding and deplaning. Nonetheless, smaller aircraft, like those operated by Southern Airways, should not at all times required to have mechanical lifts, in response to the airline\u2019s policy.<\/p>\n Southern Airways states that passengers must give you the option to climb steps to board, though it notes ramps could also be available at certain locations, but should not guaranteed.<\/p>\n Bode said the situation escalated further when airline staff reportedly shifted their reasoning to the burden of her wheelchair, something she strongly disputed. \u201cMy chair is 35lbs. I’m heavier than my chair. My chair might be lower than other people\u2019s luggage,\u201d she said, adding that moments like this are far too common when traveling. \u201cAnd that is what I mean after I say it’s at all times something after I\u2019m flying.\u201d<\/p>\n After being denied boarding, Bode said she was forced to take a costly three-and-a-half-hour drive to succeed in her destination for a speaking engagement. The \u201cWicked\u201d actress also revealed that her manager had previously confirmed with the airline that accommodations can be available. \u201cI literally called them, talked to them on the phone, asked Southern Airlines if they may make that accommodation and so they fully assured me and told me yes,\u201d she claimed.<\/p>\nBode Calls Out Airline For \u2018Blatant Segregation\u2019 In Heated Response<\/h2>\n
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Airline Policy Under Scrutiny As Accessibility Rules Come Into Focus<\/h2>\n
Marissa Bode Says Airline \u2018Shifted Excuses\u2019 As Travel Ordeal Forced Costly Detour<\/h2>\n
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Southern Airways Responds, Says Incident \u2018Does Not Reflect Our Standards\u2019 As Investigation Begins<\/h2>\n
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