AGS NEWS – Three Black men have filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against American Airlines, claiming they were removed from a flight due to a passenger’s complaint about body odor.

The men — Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, and Xavier Veal—allege the real reason was racial discrimination, as all Black passengers were asked to leave the flight.

The incident occurred on January 5, on a flight from Phoenix, Arizona, to New York.

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The men, who did not know each other and were seated separately, had previously flown from Los Angeles without issues.

According to the lawsuit filed by consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, a flight attendant asked each man to exit the plane after they had already boarded and taken their seats.

While waiting outside the plane, the pilot announced a delay due to “body odor,” a claim the plaintiffs say is false.

The men described feelings of embarrassment, humiliation, anxiety, and distress, particularly upon reboarding and passing predominantly white passengers who eyed them with suspicion.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for the trauma endured. The men stated they were singled out for being Black and humiliated without any justification other than their race.

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American Airlines has acknowledged the allegations and stated it is investigating the matter, emphasizing that the claims do not align with their core values.