NAACP issues advisory warning African Americans not to fly American Airlines

AP | The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has warned African Americans that if they fly on American Airlines they could be subject to discrimination or even unsafe conditions.

The civil rights organization, accused the airline of a “pattern of disturbing incidents.”
“We have taken the action of issuing a national advisory alerting travelers, especially African Americans, to exercise caution. Flights on American Airlines could subject them to disrespectful, discriminatory or unsafe conditions,” a release sent to reporters Tuesday night says.

The release lists 4 incidents over the course of 18 months over which the NAACP is accusing the airline of unfair treatment. It is the 2nd ever travel advisory issued by the organization, according to Aba Blankson, vice president of communications.

American Airlines’s CEO said Wednesday that he was disappointed by the announcement and that the carrier wants to discuss the matter with the civil rights group.

The NAACP said that for several months it has watched a pattern of disturbing incidents reported by African American passengers. Among them were separate cases in which an NAACP official and another civil rights activist were kicked off flights.

NAACP president, Derrick Johnson, said the “growing list of incidents suggesting racial bias reflects an unacceptable corporate culture and involves behavior that cannot be dismissed as normal or random.”

American Airlines issued a statement saying that it has a diverse group of employees and serves customers of all backgrounds.