In a recently filed lawsuit, three Black men - Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, and Xavier Veal - have accused American Airlines of engaging in "blatant and egregious racial discrimination." The plaintiffs claim that they, along with five other Black male passengers, were removed from a flight from Phoenix to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport based solely on their race.

According to the lawsuit filed in federal court, an American Airlines representative approached each of the eight men and asked them to leave the plane and return to the gate for rebooking. To their surprise, they noticed several other Black men being removed from the aircraft as well, leading them to believe that all Black male passengers were targeted.

After all eight men were removed from the plane, they were informed that the reason behind their removal was a complaint about body odor. However, the plaintiffs assert that they were never told individually about having body odor. When they pointed out the unfair treatment based on their race, an American Airlines staff member reportedly acknowledged their concerns.

It was an hour later when the men were finally allowed back on the plane, as there were no available flights to JFK airport that evening. Reboarding the aircraft, they endured the stares of other passengers who perceived them as the cause of the substantial delay. The entire incident left the plaintiffs traumatized, humiliated, and degraded, according to the lawsuit.

American Airlines, in response to the allegations, expressed its commitment to taking all claims of discrimination seriously and ensuring a positive experience for its customers. The airline stated that it is currently investigating the matter as the alleged behavior does not align with its core values of caring for people.

Jackson, Joseph, and Veal strongly believe that what transpired was wrong and that their experience with the airline was embarrassing and degrading. They compare their situation to imagining a flight attendant ordering every white person off a plane due to a complaint about one white individual, highlighting the clear discrimination they faced.

This lawsuit is not the first time American Airlines has faced allegations of racial discrimination. In February, a Black woman, Pamela Hill-Veal, claimed she was discriminated against when a flight attendant confronted her for allegedly slamming a restroom door. Another incident involved track star Sha'Carri Richardson and musician David Ryan Harris in 2023, drawing criticism for alleged harassment and suspicions of trafficking, respectively.

These repeated incidents have raised concerns about discrimination within American Airlines. In 2017, the NAACP issued an advisory warning Black travelers to be cautious about flying with the airline. While the advisory was lifted the following year, the recent lawsuit filed by Jackson, Joseph, and Veal underscores the need for continued accountability and the rejection of discriminatory practices.

Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP, called the details of the latest lawsuit disturbing and encouraged the Black community to stand up against discrimination. As the case unfolds, it remains essential for American Airlines to address these allegations and take concrete steps to prevent racial discrimination within its operations.