American Airlines settles with Black men removed from flight

American Airlines has settled a discrimination lawsuit filed by three Black men who were removed from a flight last January. 

In a statement, American Airlines declined to provide specific details of the settlement but said it was an “amicable resolution.”

“American Airlines is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment to all customers,” statement reads. “The agreement allows all parties to move forward and focus on what matters most — ensuring a safe and inclusive travel experience for every customer.”

The suit from the three men — Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph and Xavier Veal — alleged that after they boarded American Airlines Flight 832 from Phoenix to New York, they were ordered to deplane when a white flight attendant complained that a passenger had body odor. 

The three were among eight Black male passengers who were removed from the plane, and the pilot allegedly announced over the loudspeaker the men were being removed for a body odor complaint. 

The lawsuit also alleged that though an American Airlines employee told the men they would not be allowed to reboard and would need to be rebooked, there were no other flights that evening to rebook them on. 

Video of the incident showed the men demanding to know why they were being removed, with several accusing the staff of discrimination. The video also showed at least one employee in the video agreed with the accusations. 

The delay persisted for more than an hour before the airline reversed its decision and let all eight men reboard the flight. The suit said the plaintiffs were humiliated and traumatized by the experience.

It was not the first time the airline was accused of racial discrimination. In fact, the NAACP issued a travel ban on the airline in 2017, warning Black passengers they could be subjected to “disrespectful, discriminatory or unsafe conditions” on American Airlines.

The civil rights group threatened to reinstate the travel ban following the January incident. 

Following the settlement, the plaintiffs said in a statement to the Associated Press that they were “very pleased” that American Airlines took the complaint seriously and that they hope “this never happens to Black passengers or any other people of color again.”

“Our goal in speaking out has always been to create change. We are proud that we used our voices to make a difference in the lives of Black Americans.”