Following a complaint about body odor that led to black passengers being removed from a flight, several American Airlines employees have been placed on leave. The incident, which occurred on January 5, led to a lawsuit filed by three passengers in May, alleging racial discrimination.
The CEO of American Airlines, Robert Isom, addressed the issue in a note to employees, calling the incident unacceptable and admitting the company fell short of its customer service commitments. He emphasized that those involved are being held accountable.
The airline has responded to the incident by announcing several initiatives to prevent future occurrences, including the formation of an advisory group to focus on the experiences of black passengers.
In the lawsuit, the three men, who were not acquainted with each other and seated separately, claimed that all black men on the flight from Phoenix to New York City were removed. A total of eight passengers were taken off the flight, causing significant embarrassment and humiliation for those involved.
The men, named Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, and Xavier Veal, were eventually allowed to return to their seats on the same flight. CEO Robert Isom expressed his deep disappointment in a letter to employees dated June 18, acknowledging the failure in procedures and reaffirming the airline’s commitment to customer service.
He mentioned ongoing collaborations with civil rights organizations, including the NAACP, to rebuild trust with the black community.
American Airlines has faced allegations of racial discrimination before. In 2017, the NAACP issued a travel advisory against the airline due to a pattern of disrespectful and discriminatory behavior.
This advisory was lifted the following year after the airline implemented operational changes. However, the NAACP has warned that it might reinstate the advisory if American Airlines does not respond swiftly and decisively to the recent incident.
The airline’s response includes not only holding employees accountable but also engaging in broader efforts to ensure such incidents do not recur. By working with civil rights groups and taking concrete steps to address racial discrimination, American Airlines aims to demonstrate its commitment to fair and respectful treatment for all passengers.
