Current:Home > MyAmerican Airlines CEO says the removal of several Black passengers from a flight was ‘unacceptable’ -Capital Dream Guides
American Airlines CEO says the removal of several Black passengers from a flight was ‘unacceptable’
View
Date:2025-04-18 16:42:41
DALLAS (AP) — American Airlines put an unspecified number of employees on leave for their involvement in an incident in which several Black passengers were removed from a flight in Phoenix, allegedly over a complaint about body odor.
American CEO Robert Isom wrote in a note to staff that the incident was unacceptable.
“I am incredibly disappointed by what happened on that flight and the breakdown of our procedures,” Isom said in the note this week. “It contradicts our values. … We fell short of our commitments and failed our customers in this incident.”
Three Black passengers sued the airline last month, charging that they were removed from the January flight because of racial discrimination. They said they were told that a white male flight attendant had complained about an unidentified passenger’s body odor.
The men said they did not know each other and were seated separately while waiting for the plane to depart for New York. The three said they were among eight passengers – all the Black men on the flight, they said – who were told to leave the plane.
The men said they demanded an explanation for their removal during a confrontation with airline personnel in the jet bridge. At least one of the men recorded the discussion, capturing an airline employee seeming to agree that the men were discriminated against, according to their lawsuit.
After a delay of about an hour, they were allowed back on the plane.
American did not say how many employees were put on leave or describe their job titles. A spokesperson for the airline said, “We are holding those involved accountable, including removing team members from service.”
Isom said American would form an advisory group to focus on the experience of Black customers, to promote the reporting of discrimination allegations, and to improve diversity training to “focus on real-world situations to help recognize and address bias and discrimination.”
In his note, which was reported earlier by CBS News, Isom said he had spoken with the president of the NAACP about the incident. The civil rights group did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
American has faced allegations of discrimination in the recent past. In 2017, the NAACP warned Black travelers about flying on the airline, claiming that several African American passengers had experienced discrimination from airline employees. American promised to make changes, and the NAACP lifted the advisory nearly nine months later.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Wedding Shop Has You Covered for the Big Day and Beyond
- Kellie Pickler’s Husband Kyle Jacobs' Cause of Death Confirmed by Autopsy
- Savannah Chrisley Shares Update on Her Relationship Status After Brief Romance With Country Singer
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Today’s Climate: August 16, 2010
- Prince Harry Receives Apology From Tabloid Publisher Amid Hacking Trial
- Meadow Walker Honors Late Dad Paul Walker With Fast X Cameo
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- RHONJ Preview: See Dolores Catania's Boyfriend Paul Connell Drop an Engagement Bombshell
Ranking
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Deli meats and cheeses have been linked to a listeria outbreak in 6 states
- Anger toward Gen. Milley may have led Trump to discuss documents, adding to indictment evidence
- Bryan Cranston says he will soon take a break from acting
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- To fight 'period shame,' women in China demand that trains sell tampons
- $45 million misconduct settlement for man paralyzed in police van largest in nation's history, lawyers say
- Ozempic side effects could lead to hospitalization — and doctors warn that long-term impacts remain unknown
Recommendation
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
Bone-appétit: Some NYC dining establishments cater to both dogs and their owners
Children's Author Kouri Richins Accused of Murdering Husband After Writing Book on Grief
A Triple Serving Of Flu, COVID And RSV Hits Hospitals Ahead Of Thanksgiving
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Food insecurity is driving women in Africa into sex work, increasing HIV risk
Get That “No Makeup Makeup Look and Save 50% On It Cosmetics Powder Foundation
Environmental Group Alleges Scientific Fraud in Disputed Methane Studies