Two blind women say they became only passengers on Southwest flight after airline 'forgot about' them
Sherri Brun and Camille Tate were traveling together on Southwest Flight 2637, scheduled to depart New Orleans on July 14. Following a nearly five-hour delay, the two friends finally boarded their flight, only to discover they were the only two people on the plane, FOX 35 reported.
"You're the only two people on this flight because they forgot about you," Brun said the two women were told.
Brun and Tate said they had waited by their assigned gate, checking Southwest's app for updates. However, unbeknownst to them, nearly all the other passengers had been rebooked on a separate Southwest flight to Orlando that departed earlier from a nearby gate, FOX 35 reported.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, airlines must provide prompt and effective communication for passengers with visual impairments, especially during delays or rebookings and boarding changes a federal law under the Air Carrier Access Act.
Brun and Tate said that requirement was far from met. "Nobody said a word to us about another flight," Brun said. "We were just waiting at the gate, checking the app, like everyone else."
"There needs to be some improvement in how they communicate with their passengers, especially those that have disabilities," Tate said.
"We have seen inaccurate accounts that suggest we 'forgot' the two customers, or that we sent a plane back to get them," a Southwest spokesperson told Fox News Digital in an email. "Neither of these is the case. … The Customers were scheduled on Flight 2637. Although it ran almost five hours late that day, it remained their same flight number throughout."
Southwest said it offered each of the women a $100 travel voucher as compensation for the delay.
"We apologize for the inconvenience," Southwest told Fox News Digital. "Southwest is always looking for ways to improve our customers' travel experiences, and we're active in the airline industry in sharing best practices about how to best accommodate Passengers with disabilities."
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Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
The 18 Best Kid-Friendly Airbnbs in Orlando
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here. You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Read the original article on Purewow. Warm, sunny weather and theme parks are just a couple of reasons why Orlando is such an appealing family vacation destination. Still, when you're staying at Disney resorts the price tag can get pretty high. For that reason, we found some alternatives that offer more space than a hotel room, plus plenty of amenities that meet the needs (and wants) of families. Read on for our list of the very best kid-friendly Airbnbs in Orlando—ranging from five-star homes with themed rooms and magical Mickey Mouse scavenger hunts to budget-friendly farmstays not far from the main attractions. Then, start booking while the price is right. 13 Truly Exceptional Airbnbs in Florida for the Ultimate Staycation 1. Beautiful Villa in Kissimmee Airbnb This spacious three bedroom retreat has a generously sized backyard and pool, both fully fenced for maximum privacy. There's also a large game room complete with an air hockey table, a foosball table, and a wide selection of toys and board games. ('My kids were OBSESSED with the game room,' writes one reviewer.) Plus, the well-appointed space features a master bedroom with a king bed, a second bedroom with two bunk beds and a sleek dining and living room with ample space for those traveling with a bigger brood. Oh, and the location is just two minutes away from Walmart (in case you forgot to pack something) and a stone's throw away from Disney, too. Book It 2. Magical Muggle Mansion Airbnb The Magical Muggle Mansion, a palatial home with resort amenities, is paradise for Harry Potter fans. Not a room on the property strays from the wizarding theme and the resulting decor is truly enchanting. (Seriously, it's like you're actually stepping into the book.) The interior design is reason enough to stay here, but there's also a home movie theater and private pool, as well as shared access to the resort's waterpark, arcade room, mini golf course and more. In other words, this place nails the design and delivers the entertainment so well that you might not even need to go to Universal Studios for an immersive Harry Potter experience, though if you choose to, you'll be very close. Book It 3. Central Historic Bungalow Airbnb This historic and oh-so charming 1920s bungalow is located in the ColonialTown North District of Orlando—a vibrant and blessedly walkable part of the city that's replete with restaurants, cafes and bars. The interior of the property is roomy and there's a generously sized front porch (complete with porch swing) for relaxing and a large living room with a wood burning fireplace, so it's well-suited to unwinding after a long day at one of the nearby amusement parks. Best of all, there's a travel crib, high chair and children's dinnerware available for guests who are traveling with small children, which means you might be able to travel light for a change. Book It 4. Barbie Dream House Airbnb Barbie lovers pay attention, because this really is the dream house (and not that plastic one that takes up way too much floorspace in your kid's room). Perfect for larger groups, the first floor of this home boasts a luxurious master bedroom with an ensuite soaking tub, a dedicated work space, a fully-equipped kitchen, a Mario-themed game room and cinema and a private pool and lanai. Head upstairs where you will find the Barbie-themed loft, complete with four queen-sized beds and a Barbie box photo booth, as well as a Spiderverse-themed room with bunk beds, a Star Wars room, and three additional king-size bedrooms. There's so much entertainment at this place that you might not even need a theme park, but if you're committed to seeing the major attractions, you will be pleased to know that the property is just 20 minutes away from Disney Springs. Book It 5. Universal Studios Lakehouse Retreat Airbnb If you're looking for something a little bigger, this palatial lakefront property should fit the bill. Jet skis and other equipment are available so guests can make the most of the lake access, plus a private (fully enclosed) lap pool and a sprawling yard where kids can romp around as well. The interior has a massive living room with tons of empty floor space for kids to run around, too, and the plush, oversized bedrooms have room darkening shades so you don't have to worry about being woken up at the crack of dawn. Better still, this prime piece of real estate is located just two minutes away from Universal Studios, so you can easily take a midday break from the theme park experience when the kids are tuckered out. Book It 6. The Spanish Castle Airbnb Take a trip to the set of Encanto with a stay at this Spanish-style villa in Four Corners, Florida, located just a few miles away from Orlando's theme parks. The home itself features an array of luxury amenities, including a fully-stocked kitchen, wine cellar, west-facing pool and spa, plus an airy and spacious, Mediterranean-style open floor plan that's great for groups to spread out. Glowing reviews highlight the beautiful outdoor space, well-maintained pool and large, well-appointed bedrooms. Plus, parents will surely be thankful for the washer/dryer combo (you can pack light!), as well as the pool table for teens and the home entertainment system. Book It 7. Lakefront Condo Near Disney Airbnb This lakefront condominium complex is what kids' dreams are made of—namely because it's just one mile away from Disney, Universal, Sea World and every other major attraction in Orlando and located within walking distance from a host of cafes, restaurants and shops. 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CBS News
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Forbes
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