Wicked Star Slams Airline for Boarding Denial ‘Because I’m Disabled’

by

Actress Marissa Bode, famous for playing Nessarose, says she was refused a flight by Southern Airways because she uses a wheelchair. She shared her experience in a TikTok video, expressing her disappointment with the airline.

In a video, Bode explains he wasn’t allowed on his flight, something he wishes wasn’t true, but unfortunately is.

Marissa Bode Describes the Situation as Blatant Segregation

She explained that she had trouble finding her digital ticket while getting ready to board a Southern Airways flight to Pennsylvania. When she asked the flight crew for assistance, she was told she couldn’t board because she uses a wheelchair. She stated that Southern Airways reportedly has a policy of not allowing passengers who use wheelchairs, which she believes is discriminatory and treats disabled people as if they are unimportant.

Bode explained that when he arrived at the gate, he asked for help finding his boarding pass. The gate agents then asked if he could stand, and when he said he couldn’t, they refused to let him board the plane. They told him all the airline’s planes require passengers to be able to climb stairs, which he found surprising.

She explained that disabled people shouldn’t be an overlooked consideration. She questioned why, given that people with disabilities exist – something she felt many seemed to forget – the airlines hadn’t updated their planes to be accessible. She strongly stated that the lack of accessibility felt like deliberate segregation.

Marissa Bode Says There’s “Always Something” With Flying

Honestly, it’s just exhausting. They told me they were worried about the weight of my wheelchair when I tried to board, which is ridiculous – it only weighs 35 pounds! I told the staff, but it felt like talking to a wall. It’s always something when I fly, and it’s incredibly frustrating. What makes it even worse is my manager actually called Southern Airways before the trip to make sure everything would be smooth for a passenger with a disability, and they didn’t mention a thing about any weight limits or issues. It feels like nobody communicates!

She said he told her he actually called Southern Airways, spoke with a representative, and specifically asked if they could fulfill the request. They confirmed they could, assuring him it wouldn’t be a problem.

Bode started her film career with a role in the 2024 movie Wicked, and recently reprised her character in a follow-up project last year. She’s now working on Snare, a new psychological thriller currently being filmed. The movie is directed by Sonja O’Hara and Adam Hoelzel, and also features Greg Tarzan Davis and Omar Harif Jr.

Read More

2026-04-26 01:08