Marissa Bode Says She Was Denied Boarding Over Wheelchair on Southern Airways

Actress Marissa Bode says she was denied boarding on a Southern Airways flight because she uses a wheelchair, describing the experience as frustrating and discriminatory.

In a TikTok video posted April 23, Bode, 25, said the incident happened while she was traveling to a speaking engagement in a small town in Pennsylvania. She said she approached the gate to ask for help finding her boarding pass when airline staff asked if she could stand. After she said no, she claims they told her she would not be allowed to board.

According to Bode, the staff said all Southern Airways flights require passengers to use stairs to board and suggested that even elderly passengers struggle. She said she asked whether disabled passengers had flown with the airline before and was told no.

Bode said she challenged the decision, calling it “blatant segregation,” and argued that disabled passengers should not be treated as an afterthought. She claims airline staff then raised a different concern, saying the combined weight of her wheelchair and luggage would be an issue. Bode said her wheelchair weighs about 35 pounds and questioned that explanation.

In the video, Bode said travel is often difficult as a wheelchair user, citing past issues including her wheelchair being incorrectly tagged as luggage and nearly sent to the wrong city. She said such problems are common and go beyond simple miscommunication.

Bode said she contacted her manager at the airport, who told airline staff that accommodations had been arranged in advance. Despite this, she said she was still unable to board and ultimately had to take a three-and-a-half-hour car ride to reach her destination.

The actress said the situation left her upset and in tears at the airport. She criticized both Southern Airways and the airline industry more broadly, calling for better treatment of disabled passengers.

Southern Airways has not publicly responded to Bode’s claims.