A Black passenger is suing American Airlines, alleging discrimination after he was removed from a connecting flight from Phoenix to Austin, Texas.
According to USA Today, the incident happened on April 14 when the passenger, Dana, told the flight crew he was allergic to dogs and was seated near another passenger’s support dog in first class. Eyewitnesses said Dana and the other passenger first tried to work it out by asking others in the cabin to switch seats, but the crew allegedly stepped in and asked Dana to move toward the back of the plane. Dana says he was never confrontational and only asked why he had to move. The captain then called security and he was removed.
His attorney, Reginald McKamie, announced the lawsuit at a press conference on Tuesday. He said, “Dana was taken off an airplane so a dog could fly the first class cabin,” and called the airline’s actions discrimination.
American Airlines told USA Today that it works to re-seat passengers with allergies away from service or support animals. The airline said the crew offered to move the passenger with the animal to another first class seat so Dana could stay put, and that he was also offered a seat farther from the animal in the main cabin with a fare refund. The airline said he declined both options. It also said it had not yet received the lawsuit.
The airline pointed to Department of Transportation rules on emotional support animals. The claims in the suit are allegations and have not been decided by a court.
