Overview

• Livia Rombola filed suit in New York State Supreme Court in Brooklyn naming fellow passenger Leanna Perry and Southwest Airlines over a June 17 incident on Flight 779 at LaGuardia.
• The complaint alleges Perry, who appeared intoxicated, pulled Rombola’s hair, spat on her, and hurled insults before being zip‑tied by crew and removed by police.
• Rombola claims serious physical injuries and acute emotional distress aggravated by the viral spread of bystander video and extensive media coverage.
• The suit argues Southwest’s open seating created foreseeable conflict and accuses the airline of failing to deny boarding to a visibly impaired passenger, citing FAA rules.
• Separate criminal charges against Perry remain pending; she pleaded not guilty and is due in Queens Criminal Court on September 3, as Southwest plans to adopt assigned seating on January 26, 2026.