Last week, the NAACP announced a national travel advisory warning African-Americans about their safety and well-being when patronizing American Airlines or traveling on American Airlines flights.
“The NAACP for several months now has been monitoring a pattern of disturbing incidents reported by African-American passengers, specific to American Airlines,” the Oct. 24, 2017, statement said.
“In light of these confrontations, we have today taken the action of issuing national advisory alerting travelers—especially African-Americans—to exercise caution, in that booking and boarding flights on American Airlines could subject them disrespectful, discriminatory or unsafe conditions.
“This travel advisory is in effect beginning today, October 24, 2017, until further notice.”
The NAACP went on to identify a series of recent incidents involving “troublesome conduct” by American Airlines that suggest a corporate culture of racial insensitivity and possible racial bias.
The full NAACP release, which details specific incidents, is available on the organization’s website.
Since the NAACP announced its ban, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker said “he is looking forward to company representatives meeting with the NAACP to discuss the civil rights group’s [grievances].”
American Airlines also released a statement on Wed., Oct. 25, 2017, signed by Parker that said the company’s mission was in line with the NAACP and it would not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
In August, the NAACP urged African-Americans to avoid travel to the state of Missouri, citing discriminatory laws and practices. It was the first statewide travel advisory issued by the organization.
