An employee of Dallas-based Southwest Airlines was hospitalized after allegedly being assaulted by a passenger while they boarded a flight to New York at Dallas Love Field Saturday, November 13.
According to Dallas police and Southwest Airlines, the assault happened at about 12:30 p.m. while the flight to La Guardia was being boarded. Police said the passenger, Arielle Jean Jackson, 32, allegedly went to the back of the plane during boarding and had a verbal altercation with a flight attendant who then asked her to leave the plane.
According to Dallas police, Jackson hit a second employee, punching her in the head while exiting the plane.
The 32-year-old was arrested at the airport and is now facing one count of aggravated assault. Dallas Morning News reported that Jackson was being held in Dallas County jail on a $10,000 bond Sunday afternoon. It was not revealed if she had an attorney.
In a statement to Dallas Morning News, the airline’s spokesman Chris Mainz said the entire Southwest Family is wishing the employee a “speedy and full recovery as we send our prayers and thoughts to her.”
Mainz added in the statement that Southwest Airlines maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any assault or harassment, and the airline fully supports its employee as it cooperates with local authorities as they investigate the incident.
According to Dallas Morning News, the employee, whose identity has not been revealed, was taken to the hospital and has since been released. Investigation into the incident is still ongoing, as it is still unclear what led to the initial argument.
