In January, eight Black male passengers were removed and later reboarded from an American Airlines flight, following a complaint about body odor. Three of them filed a federal lawsuit alleging racial discrimination. The incident has led to several employees being put on leave and American Airlines CEO, Robert Isom, pledging to "rebuild trust" and implement measures to strengthen diversity and inclusion within the company.
Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, responded positively to American Airlines' recent actions, stating that he is pleased to see the company taking initial steps towards a more inclusive experience for all. He acknowledged that while it is common for Black consumers to experience discrimination, it is not common to see such swift and decisive action. Johnson hopes this approach will serve as a model for other corporations in similar situations.
American Airlines' CEO, Robert Isom, is taking immediate actions to rebuild trust after racial discrimination incidents2. These actions include creating an advisory group focused on improving the travel experience for Black customers, reviewing and enhancing the company's internal reporting process for discrimination cases, reevaluating policies and practices, and educating employees to recognize and address bias and discrimination34.