American Airlines Settles Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Over Deplaning Incident
American Airlines has reached a settlement in a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by three African American passengers who were removed from a flight earlier this year after a flight attendant complained about a “foul odor.”
The airline agreed to an undisclosed settlement and terminated the flight attendants involved in the incident, signaling acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Details of the Lawsuit
The incident took place on January 5, 2024, on a flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to the New York City area. After boarding, eight passengers—all of whom were Black—were asked to deplane due to a reported odor in the cabin.
Despite being removed, none of the passengers were found responsible for the smell, and they were later allowed to reboard the plane when no alternative flights were available.
On May 29, three of the passengers filed a federal racial discrimination lawsuit in Brooklyn, citing Civil War-era legislation that prohibits racial discrimination in contracts. They described the experience as traumatic and sought damages for what they believed was a clear case of racial bias.
The Settlement
On December 19, American Airlines announced an “amicable resolution” to the case, meaning the company chose to settle without proceeding to trial.
In a statement shared with the media, the airline said:
“The agreement allows all parties to move forward and focus on what matters most – ensuring a safe and inclusive travel experience for every customer.”
The passengers maintained that they were not seated near one another, had no prior connection, and were unfairly grouped and removed from the flight.
Their attorney expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating:
“We are very pleased that American Airlines took our complaint seriously. Our goal has always been to create change, and we are proud to have used our voices to make a difference for Black Americans.”
Response from American Airlines
In a note to staff earlier this year, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom addressed the incident, acknowledging the company’s failure to uphold its commitments:
“I am incredibly disappointed by what happened on that flight and the breakdown of our procedures. We fell short of our commitments and failed our customers in this incident.”
A Broader Issue in Aviation
This case highlights the persistence of racial discrimination in the aviation industry and the need for airlines to improve their protocols and training to prevent similar incidents. American Airlines has indicated it will review and revise its procedures to ensure a more inclusive and fair experience for all passengers.
The resolution of this lawsuit not only brings closure to the affected passengers but also underscores the importance of holding companies accountable for addressing racial bias and promoting equality in the travel industry.
