A have filed a lawsuit against American Airlines by African-American customers for alleged racial discrimination after they, along with five other black passengers, were removed from a flight. The lawsuit, accusing the US air carrier of unjustly removing the passengers due to a complaint about their “offensive body odor,” was filed in the US District Court of New York earlier this week.
According to the complaint, the lawsuit further claims that men, along with five other African-American male passengers, were unjustifiably removed from the plane solely because of their race.
The plaintiffs alleged in a joint statement released that American Airlines discriminated against them based on their race, leading to feelings of embarrassment and humiliation. The lawsuit asserts that none of the plaintiffs were informed about having a foul smell, and in truth, none of them had any offensive body odor.
The three men, who were allegedly not seated next to each other and were unfamiliar with one another, claimed that all African American males were asked to leave the flight that took place on January 5, traveling from Phoenix, Arizona, to New York.
The legal complaint asserts that the African-American male passengers were temporarily detained in the jetway before being relocated to the gate area for the purpose of re-booking them on another flight bound for New York. According to the lawsuit, a staff member of American Airlines allegedly mentioned that the report regarding body odor originated from a “flight attendant who is a white male.”
After a considerable wait, removed passengers were at last permitted to return to their initial flight after it was confirmed that there were no alternative flights. Throughout the journey, the plaintiffs allege they had to face the disapproving looks of the predominantly white passengers who considered them responsible for the significant delay. The complaint described the entire ordeal as distressing, upsetting, frightening, humiliating, and degrading.
American Airlines has issued a statement saying that it is treating all allegations of discrimination with utmost seriousness. The airline is currently looking into the matter, emphasizing that the claims are not in line with their core values or their commitment to caring for people.
(eTN): American Airlines Sued for Racial Discrimination | re-post license | post content
