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Wednesday, 29 May 2024 17:42

American Airlines accused of kicking 8 Black men off a flight

American Airlines kick eight Black men off the flight American Airlines kick eight Black men off the flight pixabay


In January of this year, a controversial incident occurred on an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to New York City, which has now become the subject of a lawsuit. Eight Black men were removed from the flight due to an alleged unpleasant body odor. After initially being forced to leave the plane, they were eventually allowed to reboard their original flight.

What will you learn?

1.Why did American Airlines kick eight Black men off the flight?
2. How did the victims react to the incident?
3. What does American Airlines' carriage policy say about body odors?
4. What actions did American Airlines take in response to the lawsuit?
5. What were the feelings and experiences of the victims following the incident?

Complaint and American Airlines' Response

According to the plaintiffs' attorney, Michael Kirkpatrick, the men were initially annoyed and frustrated that they had to leave the plane. However, they soon realized that they had all been removed because they were Black. "It hit them like a ton of bricks," Kirkpatrick told The Washington Post.

American Airlines issued a statement emphasizing that it takes these allegations "very seriously" and is currently investigating the matter. The airline also stated that such actions do not reflect their core values or their mission of caring for people.

Lawsuit and Next Steps

The men involved in the lawsuit live in New York City and were returning home from Burbank with a layover in Phoenix. They claim that they did not know each other before the flight and were not sitting together when they were removed from the plane. After the incident, they did not see the other five men again, although media coverage may prompt them to come forward and join the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, the men were removed from the flight without any "legitimate rationale," and an American Airlines employee kicked them off "one by one" without explanation. Only later did they learn that one of the flight attendants had complained about body odor. The lawsuit suggests that "it is near impossible to imagine that American would ever treat white customers in a similar manner."

Although the men maintain that they did not have any offensive body odor, American Airlines' contract of carriage allows passengers to be removed if their odor is offensive, unless it is caused by a disability or illness.

Conclusions and Reactions

Ultimately, the airline was unable to find alternative flights for the men and allowed them back on board after about an hour. "We were walking through the aisle of shame, if you will," Xavier Veal, one of the men, told The Washington Post. "It was horrible. It was a really traumatic experience."

Source: Jalopnik