A Killeen, Texas man is suing American Airlines for racial discrimination after he claims he was kicked off a plane when he complained about the airline forcing him to move from first-class to the back of the plane to accommodate a passenger's service dog.
Dana Holcomb was flying by from Las Vegas to Austin with a stop in Phoenix when he had an allergic reaction the support dog sitting with a passenger nearby.
In a statement, American Airlines said: “American makes every effort to accommodate all passengers, including those traveling with and seated near service or support animals."
The passenger with the support dog offered to switch seats, but when no one took them up on it, the flight attendant and pilot got involved, and told Holcomb he would either have to move to the rear of the plane or get off the plane.
American employees allege he became "confrontational," and that was why he was put off the flight, but two witnesses to the incident made sword statements supporting Holcomb's denials.
“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,” his attorney, Reginald McKamie Sr. said in a press conference.
Holcomb is seeking punitive and contractual damages, as he was forced to put himself up in a hotel in Phoenix for the night, and rebook his flight on Delta to Austin.
Full statement from American Airlines:
“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.
"Federal regulations require American Airlines to transport service and support animals. American makes every effort to accommodate all passengers, including those traveling with and seated near service or support animals. In the case of an allergy, we work to re-seat a passenger further away from the service or support animal. If the customer is still not comfortable flying, we will rebook them on the next available flight to their destination.
"If a lawsuit is filed, American will review it and respond in court when appropriate.”