Why American Airlines is Under Fire for Racial Discrimination Incident

Image Credit: Fabian Media

Several American Airlines employees have been suspended following a racially charged incident in which black passengers were removed from a flight due to a complaint about body odor. This has resulted in a lawsuit filed by the affected passengers, who allege racial discrimination.

The Incident
On January 5, three black passengers were asked to leave a flight from Phoenix, Arizona to New York City, sparking uproar. These males, who were seated apart and did not know each other, were among the eight people taken from the flight. According to their statements, American Airlines singled them out because of their race, which caused them discomfort and humiliation.

The three men, Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, and Xavier Veal, eventually returned to their seats aboard the same flight. However, the incident made them feel deeply mistreated and attacked. This incident resulted in a lawsuit filed in May, alleging racial discrimination and seeking justice for the treatment they endured.

In response to the incident, American Airlines’ CEO Robert Isom acknowledged the company’s failure to uphold its commitments to customers. He expressed deep disappointment over the breakdown of procedures that led to the incident. “We fell short of our commitments and failed our customers,” Isom stated in a letter to employees dated June 18. The airline has taken steps to hold those involved accountable, including placing several staff members on leave.

Furthermore, American Airlines has announced initiatives to prevent similar incidents in the future. This includes forming an advisory group focused on improving the experiences of black passengers. The company aims to work closely with civil rights organizations, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), to rebuild trust and ensure better treatment of all customers.

The Lawsuit
The lawsuit filed by the three men claims that they were unjustly targeted based on their race. The men reported that they were approached by a flight attendant and asked to exit the plane after complaints about an unidentified passenger’s body odor. They noticed that all black men on the flight were being removed, which heightened their sense of racial discrimination.

This incident is not isolated. In 2017, the NAACP issued a travel advisory warning black travelers to avoid American Airlines due to a pattern of discriminatory behavior. The advisory was lifted in 2018 after the airline made changes to its operations. However, following the January incident, the NAACP has warned that it might reinstate the advisory unless the airline provides a swift and decisive response.

The complaint filed by Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, and Xavier Veal seeks specific damages for the suffering they experienced. According to the lawsuit, while the men were waiting outside the plane, the captain declared a delay due to “body odor,” which they claim was a false and humiliating pretext. The lawsuit describes how the plaintiffs felt embarrassed, humiliated, anxious, angry, and distressed during the flight.

One of the plaintiffs, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, linked the incident to the historical injustice experienced by Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks. “It’s a strange, crazy story that in 2024 we are still going through stuff like this,” he said, highlighting the continuous fight against racial prejudice.

Broader Implications
The incident at American Airlines highlights the persistent issues of racial discrimination in the airline industry and beyond. The company’s efforts to address this specific incident and prevent future occurrences will be closely watched by customers and civil rights organizations alike. The creation of an advisory group and collaboration with the NAACP are steps in the right direction, but the airline must ensure that these initiatives lead to meaningful change.

The racial discrimination lawsuit against American Airlines underscores the need for systemic changes in how airlines and other service industries treat their customers. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by black travelers and the importance of continuous efforts to foster inclusivity and respect.

American Airlines’ commitment to holding employees accountable and implementing new measures to prevent discrimination will be crucial in rebuilding trust and ensuring that all passengers are treated with dignity and respect. As the lawsuit progresses, it will serve as a critical test of the airline’s commitment to its values and its ability to make lasting improvements in customer service and corporate culture.

As reported by the BBC in their recent article