Black man sues American Airlines for discrimination after he was removed from plane over dog allergy
Local man sues American Airlines, claims racial discrimination
Cydney Henderson, USA TODAYPublished 12:37 a.m. ET Sept. 4, 2019 | Updated 1:56 p.m. ET Sept. 4, 2019
American Airlines revised its policies on emotional support animals, limiting them to cats and dogs and requiring a veterinary health form. USA TODAY
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A black man reportedly is suing American Airlines for discrimination after he was removed from first class over his allergy to a fellow passenger’s support dog.
American Airlines confirmed to USA TODAY Tuesday that passenger Dana Holcomb was removed from a connecting flight from Phoenix to Austin, Texas, on April 14 after the crew made "all attempts to accommodate Mr. Holcomb."
Holcomb's attorney disagreed. "Dana was taken off an airplane so a dog could fly first-class cabin," Reginald McKamie Sr. said during a press conference Tuesday.
"What American Airlines is doing is discrimination," McKamie added. "They have repeatedly humiliated African American citizens by throwing them off the plane, leaving them with no way home, leaving them with no hotels, just throwing them off the plane."
In a statement to USA TODAY, American Airlines spokesperson LaKesha Brown said: "In the case of an allergy, we work to re-seat a passenger further away from the service or support animal."
"The crew offered to move the customer with the support animal to another seat in the first class cabin so Mr. Holcomb could remain in his seat. Mr. Holcomb wasn’t satisfied with that solution, so he was given the option of a seat further away from the service animal in the main cabin with a refund in the difference in fare, which he also declined," the airline said in a statement.
On Tuesday, Dana Holcomb surrounded by family, his fraternity brothers and his attorney, Reginald McKamie, Sr., discussed details of a lawsuit filed against the airline.
“Dana was taken off an airplane so a dog could fly first-class cabin,” McKamie said.
Holcomb was on his way back in April to Austin from Las Vegas after celebrating his birthday, but had a connecting flight in Phoenix.
He says he had an allergic reaction to a support dog belonging to another passenger.
American Airlines, in a statement, says it makes accommodations for dogs
“American makes every effort to accommodate all passengers, including those traveling with and seated near service or support animals,” a statement read.
Holcomb says the passenger offered to switch seats but after no one volunteered, a flight attendant and a pilot got involved.
Holcomb says he questioned why he had to move to the back of the plane.
“At that point (workers) told him you’re going to go to the rear of the plane or get off the plane,”McKamie said.
Holcomb was taken off the plane after employees say he was confrontational, a claim he denies.
According to the lawsuit, two passengers also made sworn statements to support Holcomb’s claim.
“What American Airlines is doing is discrimination. They have repeatedly humiliated African-American citizens by throwing them off the plane, leaving them with no way home, no hotel, just throwing them off the plane,” McKamie added.
In response, American Airlines also says, “We are proud to serve customers of all backgrounds and are committed to providing a positive, safe travel experience for everyone who flies with us.”
Holcomb and his attorney want the airline to change their policies on discrimination and how passengers are treated.
“We are seeking punitive damages, contractual damages,” McKamie said.
Holcomb says he was without his luggage, medicine and had to find his own way home.
He says he stayed overnight in Phoenix before getting on another flight on Delta, not American.
More: Florida woman sues American Airlines, claims her emotional support dog was confined to a bathroom
KWTX.
USA TODAY reached out to McKamie for further comment.
Local man sues American Airlines, claims racial discrimination
Cydney Henderson, USA TODAYPublished 12:37 a.m. ET Sept. 4, 2019 | Updated 1:56 p.m. ET Sept. 4, 2019
American Airlines revised its policies on emotional support animals, limiting them to cats and dogs and requiring a veterinary health form. USA TODAY
CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE
A black man reportedly is suing American Airlines for discrimination after he was removed from first class over his allergy to a fellow passenger’s support dog.
American Airlines confirmed to USA TODAY Tuesday that passenger Dana Holcomb was removed from a connecting flight from Phoenix to Austin, Texas, on April 14 after the crew made "all attempts to accommodate Mr. Holcomb."
Holcomb's attorney disagreed. "Dana was taken off an airplane so a dog could fly first-class cabin," Reginald McKamie Sr. said during a press conference Tuesday.
"What American Airlines is doing is discrimination," McKamie added. "They have repeatedly humiliated African American citizens by throwing them off the plane, leaving them with no way home, leaving them with no hotels, just throwing them off the plane."
In a statement to USA TODAY, American Airlines spokesperson LaKesha Brown said: "In the case of an allergy, we work to re-seat a passenger further away from the service or support animal."
"The crew offered to move the customer with the support animal to another seat in the first class cabin so Mr. Holcomb could remain in his seat. Mr. Holcomb wasn’t satisfied with that solution, so he was given the option of a seat further away from the service animal in the main cabin with a refund in the difference in fare, which he also declined," the airline said in a statement.
On Tuesday, Dana Holcomb surrounded by family, his fraternity brothers and his attorney, Reginald McKamie, Sr., discussed details of a lawsuit filed against the airline.
“Dana was taken off an airplane so a dog could fly first-class cabin,” McKamie said.
Holcomb was on his way back in April to Austin from Las Vegas after celebrating his birthday, but had a connecting flight in Phoenix.
He says he had an allergic reaction to a support dog belonging to another passenger.
American Airlines, in a statement, says it makes accommodations for dogs
“American makes every effort to accommodate all passengers, including those traveling with and seated near service or support animals,” a statement read.
Holcomb says the passenger offered to switch seats but after no one volunteered, a flight attendant and a pilot got involved.
Holcomb says he questioned why he had to move to the back of the plane.
“At that point (workers) told him you’re going to go to the rear of the plane or get off the plane,”McKamie said.
Holcomb was taken off the plane after employees say he was confrontational, a claim he denies.
According to the lawsuit, two passengers also made sworn statements to support Holcomb’s claim.
“What American Airlines is doing is discrimination. They have repeatedly humiliated African-American citizens by throwing them off the plane, leaving them with no way home, no hotel, just throwing them off the plane,” McKamie added.
In response, American Airlines also says, “We are proud to serve customers of all backgrounds and are committed to providing a positive, safe travel experience for everyone who flies with us.”
Holcomb and his attorney want the airline to change their policies on discrimination and how passengers are treated.
“We are seeking punitive damages, contractual damages,” McKamie said.
Holcomb says he was without his luggage, medicine and had to find his own way home.
He says he stayed overnight in Phoenix before getting on another flight on Delta, not American.
More: Florida woman sues American Airlines, claims her emotional support dog was confined to a bathroom
KWTX.
USA TODAY reached out to McKamie for further comment.
