American Airlines Takes Action to Address Racial Discrimination After Lawsuit

American Airlines' CEO, Robert Isom, has announced significant steps the airline will take to address alleged racial discrimination following an incident on a recent flight. Isom outlined these actions in a letter sent to airline employees on Tuesday.

In the letter obtained by CBS News, Isom expressed deep disappointment in the "unacceptable incident" involving the removal of several Black passengers from a flight over a complaint about "offensive body odor." He acknowledged the failure of procedures and the airline's commitment to its customers in this situation.

Investigation and Legal Action

The employees involved in the incident will be on leave while the airline conducts a thorough investigation. This follows a lawsuit filed by three Black passengers in federal court, alleging that they were removed from the flight due to racial discrimination.

The plaintiffs, traveling from Phoenix to New York, were not part of the same group, did not know each other, and appeared to be the only Black passengers on the plane. The flight attendants did not mention any offensive odor during the passengers' earlier flight from Los Angeles to Phoenix.

The plaintiffs recorded the incident, capturing a gate agent seemingly agreeing that race was a factor in the decision to remove the men from the flight. One of the passengers, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, expressed concerns about being unfairly blamed for a delay, attributing it to the color of his skin. Another plaintiff, Xavier Veal, indicated that he believes the situation would have been different if he were White.

The recent lawsuit follows previous incidents of alleged racial discrimination by passengers flying with American Airlines. In 2017, the NAACP issued a travel advisory against the airline, which was lifted after the company agreed to certain stipulations and formed an advisory council. However, racial incidents continued, leading to the disbandment of the panel in 2023.

Response from NAACP President

Derrick Johnson, President of the NAACP, warned of reinstating an advisory against the airline if a swift and decisive response was not taken. Isom acknowledged speaking with Johnson to address the organization's concerns and thanked him for sharing his views. He assured that American Airlines would implement immediate actions to address the aftermath of the recent incident.

NAACP's Response to American Airlines' Actions

The NAACP expressed satisfaction with the initial steps taken by American Airlines, highlighting the rarity of such swift and decisive action in addressing racial discrimination. They hoped that this approach would serve as a model for other corporations facing similar situations.

Isom detailed the creation of an advisory group within the airline that would specifically focus on improving the travel experience for Black customers. This group will work to promote accountability and deliver an inclusive travel experience. Employees will be encouraged to come forward with allegations of discrimination or bias, ensuring swift and transparent handling. Additionally, the airline will provide extensive employee training, review operational manuals, and institute a long-term diversity plan.

Isom assured the airline's steadfast commitment to working with the NAACP and other civil rights organizations to learn from the recent incident, rebuild trust with their team members and Black customers, and deliver the best possible experience with American Airlines.