Orthodox Couple Asked To Leave Plane Because Of Alleged Body Odor Sues Airline For Discrimination

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The Adler family (Screen capture: WPLG Local 10)

DETROIT (JTA) — An Orthodox Jewish couple from Detroit who were asked to exit an American Airlines plane because the pilot said they had offensive body odor have filed a federal lawsuit against the airline.

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The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in district court in Houston five days after Yehuda Yosef and Jennie Adler and their 19-month-old daughter were asked to leave the plane in Miami.

The lawsuit states that the couple, who are visibly Jewish, were racially profiled and discriminated against.

After finding their seats, the family was asked by a gate agent to leave the flight and once off the plane were told that the pilot had asked them to be taken off due to body odor.

The couple told the gate agent that there were no complaints from passengers on the plane or other flights they had taken. They also expressed surprise, saying they showered that morning, according to the complaint.

“In response, defendant’s agent made disparaging and derogatory statements telling the Adlers that he knew that Orthodox Jews take baths once a week,” the complaint states.

The Adlers approached travelers waiting at the gate and asked if they smelled unpleasant odors and were told no each time.

In addition, the flight took off with all of the family’s luggage, including a stroller and car seat.

“The Adlers were seriously inconvenienced, treated as criminals, humiliated, insulted, defamed, missed appointments, incurred incidental expenses and suffered trauma and emotional distress,” according to the lawsuit.

The airline put the family in a hotel for the night and they flew home on American the following day.

“Our Miami airport team members were concerned about the comfort of our other passengers due to the odor,” an American Airlines spokeswoman told the Miami Herald.

The lawsuit requests unspecified punitive damages and attorney’s fees.


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32 Comments
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Jer
Jer
4 years ago

I have sat next to people in airplanes that smelled bad or had flatulence, but I never would think to complain so that they were kicked off the flight. Also, since there were three of them, I assume they had their own row to themselves.

I hope this couple is awarded a lot of money.

Bill
Bill
4 years ago

I hope they are awarded a fair amount, not some outrageous sum.

Hocker
Hocker
4 years ago

its about time someone stood up to the airlines! they probably just needed the seats so they kicked off three people. i hope this family wins BIG!

Mark Levin
Mark Levin
4 years ago

VIN,,

Why is this being mentioned in VIN now, if they filed suit a year ago?

lipa99
lipa99
4 years ago

good – American Air is very inconvenient and don’t respect their customers even with their point program

Voice of Reason
Voice of Reason
4 years ago

JetBlue is the best airline. One should consider them especially when flying in/out of south Florida.

Frish
Frish
4 years ago

Guy just won the lottery good for him. Pilot is probably a Bernie Trutzki supporter

In the doghouse
In the doghouse
4 years ago

I engage in heavy flatulation every motzai Shabbos to the point where my wife and kids throw me out. I cut down on the gluten challa and eat only whole wheat Matzah by the seudos but so far it hasn’t helped. I’m not ready to give up my chopped liver yet. If I skip shalosh seudos on these short shabbosim it would probably help but that’s not so simple.

AaronB
AaronB
4 years ago

I hope they win enough to close down the airline. Afterwards Sue the pilot in criminal court and lock the antisemite up for decades to come.

Jay
Jay
4 years ago

It says the PILOT asked them to leave because of the odor How did the pilot get to smell them from all the way in the front ??kinda odd

leon
leon
4 years ago

There a mistake in the reporting.
The article reads: “The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in district court in Houston five days after Yehuda Yosef and Jennie Adler and their 19-month-old daughter were asked to leave the plane in Miami.”
in fact the incident happened a year ago, it was filed five days after the anniversary of the incident.
I guess they missed the year in the date.

Having fun
Having fun
4 years ago

In the doghouse

Anti
Anti
4 years ago

Always the victim card

PaulinSaudi
PaulinSaudi
4 years ago

I suppose some small number of people are so smelly that they could make an entire plane uncomfortable. I have no idea if this family is among those.

ARI pak
ARI pak
4 years ago

anti
“always the victim card”
that is until its you or your kids that were thrown off the plane then all of a sudden it
turns legit ? is that how you see things thru narrow tunnel vision?until it affects you personally

Anti
Anti
4 years ago

Certain people enjoy victim status…..

Hershel Bloombergstein
4 years ago

This is horrendous. I know these people. They are spotlessly clean. They have many baths,showers. Always smell fresh. They are the victims and the airline and staff must be sacked and put to shame. May this wonderful family win $20 million for their trouble. P-G.

Nadav Chelunit
Nadav Chelunit
4 years ago

עדיף שהם יתקלחו עם זיקלון-ב. איכס