American Airlines CEO hopes to ‘rebuild trust’ after Black passengers wrongly removed
What actions did the affected passengers take against American Airlines?
Three Black passengers who were removed from an American Airlines flight filed a federal lawsuit against the airline, alleging racial discrimination4. The passengers claimed that they were singled out due to their race and that the airline's handling of the situation was "traumatic, upsetting, scary, humiliating, and degrading." They are seeking compensation for their pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages to deter American Airlines from discriminating against Black passengers in the future.
What was the NAACP's reaction to the airline's recent actions?
The NAACP expressed disappointment in American Airlines' handling of discrimination incidents and called for an update on the open investigation into these matters. NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson stated that recent discriminatory actions from company employees prove the need for continued accountability and resolution2. The organization encouraged American Airlines to revive the advisory panel and work with the NAACP to ensure equitable experiences for all customers2.
What was the NAACP's historical stance towards American Airlines?
The NAACP has historically taken a stance against American Airlines due to multiple incidents of racial discrimination. In 2017, the organization issued a travel advisory warning Black travelers of potential discrimination when flying with the airline. The advisory was lifted in 2018 after American Airlines agreed to implement measures to prevent such incidents. However, the NAACP has threatened to reinstate the advisory if the airline fails to address recent discrimination cases.