A Southwest passenger allegedly attacked by a drunk flier before a flight at LaGuardia Airport is suing the airline, claiming the budget carrier’s “free-for-all seating policy” led to the viral attack.
Livia Rombola was aboard Southwest flight 779 bound for Kansas City, Missouri, when she was the target of a profane, violent assault by 32-year-old Leanna Perry, according to a lawsuit against the airline and Perry filed in New York State Supreme Court in Brooklyn on Aug. 25.
The attack, caught on camera and shared online, captured the NYC artist grabbing a woman’s hair and calling her a “fat ass bitch.”
The crazed woman, who was slurring her words, was detained by several passengers and flight attendants, zip-tied, placed on a gurney and removed from the plane.
Rombola claims she “sustained serious, severe and painful personal injuries” from the attack, “some of which are permanent and lasting in their nature,” followed by “extreme embarrassment and ridicule” after the video went viral, according to the lawsuit obtained by The Post.
The Kansas native filed suit claiming Southwest’s policies and actions led to Perry’s violent assault.
“Southwest, maintained and implemented a corporate policy of unassigned seating, allowing passengers to freely choose their own seats on a first-come, first-served basis during boarding,” the suit said.
Rombola claimed the policy, was a “clear departure” from industry standards, serving the company’s financial and logistical interests, while “exposing passengers to the unnecessary issue of conflict arising from the act of self seat selection.”
The suit alleges Southwest’s “lack of proactive seat assignment directly contributed to the confrontation.”
The current policy sections passengers by boarding groups but allows fliers to sit in any seat aboard the flight.
The airline announced in July that it was ending the controversial “pick any seat” policy, effective with flights on Jan. 26, 2026.
Rombola claims the airline “failed to timely intervene and deny entry” to Perry, who was “visibly impaired and intoxicated.”
Southwest failed to “protect [Rombola] from foreseeable harm” while violating FAA regulation allowing the intoxicated Perry to board the plane, the complaint added.
Perry is accused of intentionally attacking Rombola in immediate physical contact and battery, resulting in her victim to sustain physical injury as well as emotional distress and psychological trauma.
Rombola also claimed the repeated exposure of the viral video caused her to be re-traumatized and prolong her recovery, invaded her privacy, caused involuntary exposure, reputational harm, professional embarrassment, and social stigma.
Rombola is seeking an undefined amount that “exceeds jurisdictional limits of all other courts in New York State.”
“The plaintiff has a strong case against Southwest, especially with respect to their unusual free-for-all seating policy, which was a substantial factor in the cause of the incident,” Rombola’s attorney, Joel J. Turney, told The Independent.
Perry was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, disorderly conduct, three counts of harassment and three counts of attempted assault.
She pleaded not guilty in a court appearance and was released. She is expected to appear back in court on Sept. 3.
The Post has reached out to Southwest Airlines for comment.
The post Southwest’s ‘free-for-all’ seating policy to blame for drunk NYC artist’s alleged viral, hair-pulling attack, passenger claims appeared first on New York Post.
