Pamela Hill-Veal, a retired Black circuit court judge from Chicago, has filed a federal civil complaint against American Airlines.
She is alleging racial discrimination during a flight from Chicago to Phoenix on Feb. 10.
Hill-Veal claims a male flight attendant targeted her, demanding she use the restroom at the back of the plane despite flying first class.
According to Hill-Veal, the flight attendant accused her of slamming the lavatory door and subsequently insisted she use the coach restroom. Hill-Veal, however, denies slamming the door and believes the encounter was racially motivated.
In a recent interview with NPR, Hill-Veal recounted the incidents:
“He began to berate me … saying, ‘I told you not to slam the door … so from now on, you are to use the restroom in the back of the plane’ while he pointed in the direction of the restroom in coach.”
American Airlines responded, stating they take all claims of discrimination seriously and are investigating the matter. However, Hill-Veal claims the harassment persisted throughout the flight, even after she complied with the flight attendant’s orders.
Hill-Veal insists the confrontation was solely based on her race, noting that white passengers used the same restroom without incident.
She recounts feeling targeted and humiliated, with the incident reminding her of historical injustices like Rosa Parks being told to move to the back of the bus.
This isn’t the first time American Airlines has faced discrimination accusations. In 2023, incidents involving track star Sha’Carri Richardson and musician David Ryan Harris drew attention.
Richardson was removed from a flight after an altercation with a flight attendant, while Harris was questioned at an airport due to suspicions of child trafficking.
Hill-Veal’s case prompts deep reflections on systemic biases in air travel.
American Airlines has previously faced criticism from the NAACP, leading to the implementation of bias training and improved complaint systems.
However, cases like Hill-Veal’s highlight the persistence of discrimination in air travel, calling for continued efforts to address racial disparities.
