Sues attacker and Southwest over seating policy after flight assault

A Kansas passenger who was assaulted aboard a Southwest Airlines flight is suing the attacker and the carrier, alleging that the airline’s unassigned seating policy helped create the conditions for the confrontation and that the viral footage of the attack has caused lasting harm. The complaint, filed in New York State Supreme Court, says the June incident left the plaintiff physically injured, emotionally distressed and professionally embarrassed, and seeks damages to be determined in court.

According to the lawsuit, the episode unfolded shortly after 1 a.m. on June 17 on Southwest Flight 779 from LaGuardia Airport to Kansas City. Video widely shared online shows a woman later identified as 32 year old Leanna Perry repeatedly berating and physically assaulting fellow passenger Livia Rombola, pulling her hair and spitting in her face. The disturbance ended when crew members and other passengers restrained Perry with zip ties; police later arrived, placed her on a gurney and removed her from the aircraft. Perry has been charged in Queens criminal court with multiple misdemeanors, including obstructing governmental administration, three counts of attempted assault with intent to...