The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has issued a national advisory warning African-Americans and other travelers about flying with American Airlines in wake of several incidents involving alleged discrimination.
Effective Tuesday and until further notice, the advisory cites four recent incidents involving the apparent mistreatment of African-American passengers.
"The NAACP for several months now has been monitoring a pattern of disturbing incidents reported by African-American passengers, specific to American Airlines," the organization said in a statement Tuesday.
The advisory doesn't specifically recommend travelers avoid booking with American Airlines.
"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."
NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson said the advisory will stand until the organization's concerns are addressed and the airline takes "corrective action."
"All travelers must be guaranteed the right to travel without fear of threat, violence or harm," said Johnson in a statement. "The growing list of incidents suggesting racial bias reflects an unacceptable corporate culture and involves behavior that cannot be dismissed as normal or random."
One of the disturbing incidents mentioned in the NAACP's advisory announcement involved New York-based activist Tamika Mallory, who was kicked off of a flight in Miami earlier this month after complaining to the gate agent about her seating assignment. Mallory said a pilot overheard the dispute and threatened to have her removed from the flight before ultimately doing so.
Another incident involved a mother and her infant daughter. Briana Williams said she and her 4-month-old baby were forced to spend the night in the airport when she requested that American employees return her stroller from checked luggage during a lengthy delay. The Harvard Law student said she would pursue legal action against the airline.
The organization credited the alleged victims while suggesting that other similar incidents have gone unreported. "We are aware of these incidents only because the passengers involved knew their rights, knew to speak up and exercised the courage to do so promptly," the NAACP stated.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Jason Derulo Claims Racial Discrimination In American Airlines Encounter[/READMORE]
American has since reasserted its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
"We are disappointed to hear about this travel advisory as our team members-a diverse community of gate agents, pilots, and flight attendants-are proud to serve customers of all backgrounds," American Airlines spokeswoman, Shannon Gilson said in a statement responding to the advisory. "Every day American is committed to providing a positive, safe travel experience for everyone who flies with us."
Gilson told Fox News that the airline plans to meet with the NAACP to discuss the organization's concerns in presumed hopes of having the advisory lifted.
"We were disappointed to learn of a travel advisory issued by the NAACP regarding American Airlines," said the airline's CEO, Doug Parker in a memo to employees Wednesday. "The mission statement of the NAACP states that it 'seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination.' That's a mission that the people of American Airlines endorse and facilitate every day-we do not and will not tolerate discrimination of any kind."
"We have reached out to the NAACP and are eager to meet with them to listen to their issues and concerns."
Tuesday's advisory comes nearly three months after the civil rights organization issued its first-ever travel advisory for the state of Missouri.
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