3 Black Passengers Sue American Airlines, Alleging Racial
Discrimination over Odor Complaint
Three Black passengers are suing American Airlines, alleging
racial discrimination after being removed from a flight over a body odor
complaint. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern
District of New York, centers on an incident aboard Flight 832 from Phoenix to
New York in January.
The plaintiffs, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, Alvin Jackson, and
Xavier Veal, were among eight Black men removed from the flight. A video
presented in the lawsuit shows the men, who were not traveling together and did
not know each other, being taken off the plane.
They were the only Black passengers on the flight. Jean
Joseph told CBS News that no American Airlines employees mentioned any odor
issues during their previous flight from Los Angeles. Veal recorded the
incident, expressing shock at seeing only Black men removed.
The men were detained in the jetway for about an hour before
being told they would be rebooked on another flight. When no alternate flight
was found, they were placed back on the same plane. Jackson described the
return as humiliating, with passengers staring at them. Jean Joseph added,
"I knew that as soon as I got on that plane, a sea of White faces were
going to be looking at me and blaming me for their late flight."
Their lawyer, Sue Huhta, criticized American Airlines for
not providing answers, suggesting race was a clear factor. The lawsuit also
references other discrimination claims against the airline and a 2017 NAACP
travel advisory.
Legal Analyst, Rikki Klieman suggested the plaintiffs might
seek to highlight racial discrimination rather than financial compensation.
American Airlines responded, stating they take discrimination claims seriously
and are investigating the incident
