Southwest Airlines flight attendant sues over cabin pet policy

A Chicago-based flight attendant has filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines for disability discrimination, the New York Post reported. Lisa Patterson, who has worked for the airline for more than 25 years, claims that Southwest failed to accommodate her severe pet dander allergy by forcing her to work on flights carrying dogs and cats in the passenger cabin. [1]

According to court documents obtained by Paddle Your Own Kanoo and reported by the New York Post, Patterson becomes violently ill from pet dander exposure. She stated that her hypersensitivity became a major issue after Southwest Airlines modified its policy in 2018 to allow small domesticated dogs and cats aboard flights. [1]

The legal action focuses on the airline's alleged failure to provide reasonable workplace accommodations for Patterson's medical condition. Southwest Airlines introduced its pet policy permitting small animals inside the cabin about six years prior to the lawsuit. [1]