A CLASS – ACTION LAWSUIT WITH ACCUSATIONS IN RACISM WAS FILED AGAINST AMERICAN AIRLINES

An incident with the removal of an African-American Arizona resident and four American Airlines passengers who supported him from a flight ended in a class – action lawsuit.

The incident took place at the end of May, when the future plaintiff, Elgin Banks, asked the flight attendant about a change of seat closer to the front rows when seated in an airplane, and received an answer that this possibility would be considered after all the passengers took their seats. However, noting that several fair-skinned passengers were able to change their seats without any problems, Banks turned to the flight attendant again, after which, according to the plaintiff, she aggressively asked him to step back.

According to Banks, he did not raise any objections, behaved correctly and did what he was asked to do. Despite this, after some time the security officers approached the plaintiff and asked him to leave the plane. The neighbouring passengers who stood up for him had the same fate, and now they all intend to sue the airline.

When it comes to the official position of the American Airlines, its representative stated that Banks demanded a transfer not just to another place in the economy class, but in the business class. His request was rejected and was asked to stay where he was sitting.  

What is more, the airline noted that an internal investigation is ongoing. However, according to the carrier, the situation has not developed in the way it is described in the statement of claim.