New York, NY – American Airlines has taken action against several employees following a lawsuit filed by three black passengers from New York who were removed from a flight bound for JFK Airport due to a complaint about body odor. American CEO Robert Isom addressed the incident in a recent note to staff, expressing disappointment in the breakdown of procedures that led to the removal of the passengers.
The airline has not disclosed the number of employees placed on leave in connection with the incident. An airline spokesperson stated that those involved are being held accountable, including the removal of team members from service.
The lawsuit, brought by Xavier Veal, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, and Alvin Jackson, alleges that the men experienced racial discrimination when they and five other black passengers were singled out and asked to deplane due to a body odor complaint from a white flight attendant. Video footage of the incident suggests that the men believed they were targeted because of their race.
Following the ordeal, during which the men were eventually allowed to reboard after being unable to find alternate flights, the plane experienced a one-hour delay. This incident comes on the heels of past discrimination allegations against American Airlines, prompting the formation of an advisory group to address the experiences of black customers and enhance diversity training efforts within the company.
In 2017, the NAACP issued a warning to black travelers regarding the airline, citing instances of alleged discrimination. American Airlines committed to making changes in response to the concerns raised by the civil rights organization, leading to the lifting of the advisory nearly nine months later. Isom stated that he has engaged in discussions with the NAACP to determine the company’s next steps.