2018 was the year of complaints, especially in the travel industry. Just about every major airline made the news in one way or another but which one took first place when it came to discrimination complaints?
The winner is American Airlines. According to 24/7 Wall St, the airline is pretty much the worst in all sectors of customer service. A total of 68 complaints of discrimination this year were filed this year against the airline. Discrimination complaints include civil rights complaints by passengers based on race, national origin, or religion. Between U.S. and foreign air carriers, American Airlines had the most complaints based on race.
In September, rapper Wale accused American Airlines of discrimination after he claimed two flight attendants told him ‘he wasn’t supposed to be in first class.’ They apologized to the outspoken rapper in a statement saying, “We just want to apologize to Wale for what really occurred here. We understand his frustration. …He’s a good customer of ours. He flies with us regularly. We really just want to apologize profusely.”
RELATED: American Airlines Allegedly Leaves Passenger In Wheelchair Stranded In Airport Overnight
Back in 2017, after hearing about racial bias by the popular airline, the NAACP discouraged African-American customers from flying with them, placing a temporary travel warning against them. Numerous cases came before them including an African American man who said he was forced to give up his seat on a flight to North Carolina after responding to racial comments hurled at him from two white passengers. Another incident included a woman who claims she was removed from a flight from Miami to New York after complaining to a gate agent about having her seat changed without her consent. The ban lit a fire under the airline forcing them to take a look at the policies in place. American Airlines started implementing changes in how they train employees and treats customers. The NAACP lifted the ban in July.
American Airlines also came in first place with disability complaints, refunds, reservations, and boarding as well as baggage.