Wicked Star Alleges Disability-Related Flight Denial Sparks Accessibility Debate
Marissa Bode, star of Wicked, says she was denied boarding on a Southern Airways flight because of her wheelchair after gate staff asked if she could stand. She alleges planes with stairs and no lifts are exempt from certain accessibility requirements, calling the policy and experience blatant segregation. Her team had been assured she’d be accommodated, highlighting broader questions about accessibility for disabled travelers in the airline industry even as Bode continues her acting career with upcoming projects.