Two blind women demand improved accessibility in air travel

• Women became the only passengers on the delayed flight.
• Southwest Airlines denies that they were forgotten at the exit.
• The company provided compensation in the form of vouchers.

Two blind women turned to the airline for improved accessibility after they were the only passengers on board during a delay of flight Southwest. Sherri Bruhn and Kamilla Tate boarded flight 2637 from New Orleans to Orlando on July 14.

After the delay of the flight for five hours, the women finally flew, but discovered that they were the only ones on the plane. They received information that most of the other passengers had been rerouted to another flight that departed earlier.

Bruhn and Tate waited by their exit, checking Southwest's app for updates, not knowing that another flight had already left from the neighboring gate. "No one told us about another flight," Bruhn noted, adding that they were "forgotten."

Meanwhile, Southwest representatives denied that the women were forgotten, explaining that the flight was delayed, and most passengers had been transferred to another flight. "Our documentation shows that they boarded the plane that was parked next to their gate," the company stated.

As compensation, Southwest provided vouchers worth $100, but full reimbursement was not possible since the women completed their flight. The company acknowledged the inconvenience and stated that they always strive to improve their passengers' experience.

Southwest also noted that for passengers with visual impairments, additional assistance is provided with an escort and navigation from the terminal to the exit and between exits for connecting flights. Passengers are encouraged to inform about themselves and the type of necessary assistance to a Southwest employee upon arrival at the airport.

Tags: Aviation