Jewish Couple Files Discrimination Case Against American Airlines

A couple from Michigan is filing a case of discrimination against American Airlines. The lawsuit was brought about after they were kicked off a flight by the airplane's staff.

According to an article by The Daily Beast, the couple was kicked off the plane for having "extremely offensive body odor".

The employee also said that he has knowledge that "Orthodox Jews take baths once a week."

According to an article from Live and Let's Fly, the airline is being accused of discriminatory acts based on the couple's religion.

The couple, Yehuda Yosef Adler and Jennie Adler, said in their statement that they do not have the kind of odor that they were being accused of having. The couple stated that the action of the airline's employee last year caused the couple's humiliation and embarrassment.

What Exactly Happened Last Year?

On January 28, the lawsuit was filed by the couple at the District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The lawsuit claims that it was January 2019 when the couple and their 1-year-old child boarded an American Airlines flight from Miami to Detroit.

After five minutes of finding their seats on the plane, they were approached by an employee of the plane. The employee asked them to leave. The reason given to them was for emergency reasons.

After leaving the plane, the staff of the plane revealed to the couple that the pilot asked the couple to leave because of their "extremely offensive body odor." This shocked the couple as say they have never encountered such a humiliating experience in their lives. In the lawsuit, they claimed that they had showered the morning of their flight.

The Adlers revealed that they asked more than 20 people in the airport to tell them if they have an unpleasant odor. According to the Adlers, all of the people they asked, answered that they do not smell offensive.

After pleading multiple times to re-board the plane of American Airlines, they failed. The plane took off without the family. They were left without their luggage and their child's essential things like diapers and their stroller. The family reached their destination the next day.

During that time, the couple were left humiliated, confused, and disrespected. They were at a loss as to what to do about the situation. They feel as if they were discriminated against based on their nationality, race, and religion.

Religion not the Reason, Says American Airlines

The airlines stated that the issue was not related to the religion of the couple.

The American Airlines statement revealed that there were passengers and members of the plane's crew who complained about the odor of the family.

The airline said that the decision made by their staff was for the comfort of the other passengers. The airline took care of the Adlers. They shared that they paid for their meals and accommodation until they were re-booked on a flight the following day.

The airline stressed that it was not their religion that made the staff of the plane ask them to leave.

How were they treated before they were asked to leave?

Before the incident, the couple noticed that the pilot was rude to them while serching for their seats on the plane.

Upon boarding the plane, Yehuda asked a crew of the plane for headphones. The crew member, from a previous flight, told them that they can be provided with such accessories upon request from the plane's staff.

Upon hearing the request, the pilot said that the plane they were on is a different one, and that they do not allow complimentary services like free headphone to passengers.