A recent incident involving American Airlines has sparked controversy and legal action after eight black passengers were forced to disembark from a flight due to complaints about body odor.
Three of the men involved have now filed a lawsuit against the airline, citing discrimination and the traumatic nature of the experience.
The events unfolded in January when the group of eight men, who were unrelated and seated separately, boarded Flight 832 at Phoenix Airport bound for JFK International Airport in New York.
According to reports, a white male flight attendant raised concerns about offensive body odor within the aircraft, prompting the crew to single out the black passengers and request them to leave the plane.
Jean Joseph, one of the affected passengers, recounted the ordeal, stating:
“We’re walking through the aisle of shame, if you will. It was horrible. It was a really traumatic experience.”
Xavier Veal, another passenger, captured the unfolding events on video, showing the men being removed from the plane while white passengers remained unaffected.
He described the scene as “un-f***ing-professional” and remarked, “This ain’t no random pick.”
Alvin Jackson, also part of the group, highlighted the racial implications of the incident, stating, “It was a really traumatic experience.”
Following their removal, the men were subjected to delays and stares from other passengers upon reboarding the aircraft.
The lawsuit alleges that American Airlines failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for their actions and that the men were subjected to humiliation and discrimination.
In response to the lawsuit, American Airlines stated that they take all claims of discrimination seriously but did not offer further clarification on the incident.
The incident has reignited discussions about racial profiling and discrimination within the airline industry, prompting calls for greater accountability and sensitivity in handling such situations.
