Phoenix, Arizona – American Airlines, the largest airline in the world, has announced plans to establish an advisory group and collaborate with the NAACP following a concerning incident. This decision comes after eight Black passengers were unjustly removed from a flight from Phoenix to New York in response to a body odor complaint.
The situation caused widespread outrage, leading to three of the passengers filing a lawsuit against the airline. They alleged that they were targeted based on their race and expressed feelings of embarrassment and humiliation. In a statement to employees, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom acknowledged the unacceptable treatment of the passengers and admitted that the company had failed in its obligations.
Isom emphasized the airline’s commitment to working with the NAACP to rebuild trust and address issues of discrimination. Additionally, American Airlines stated that it would take disciplinary action, including removing employees involved in the incident from service. The airline also pledged to revise its protocols for handling discrimination allegations and the criteria for passenger removal.
Previously, the NAACP had advised Black travelers to avoid American Airlines due to concerns about discriminatory behavior and racial insensitivity within the company. Despite the lifting of a travel advisory issued in 2017, the NAACP cautioned that it could be reinstated if the airline did not respond appropriately to the recent incident.
In a recent statement, the civil rights group expressed satisfaction with American Airlines’ initial steps towards creating a more inclusive environment. However, they highlighted the prevalent experiences of racism and discrimination faced by Black consumers in interactions with corporations.
Efforts to reach a settlement in the pending lawsuit indicate a potential resolution on the horizon, as both the plaintiffs and the airline have agreed to enter into settlement discussions. The developments following this incident underscore the importance of addressing systemic issues of discrimination and bias in the airline industry.