Muslim passenger to sue after being removed from flight
A Muslim-American woman was removed from an aeroplane just before take off – after a flight attendant allegedly heard her say 'It's a go' into her mobile phone.
But US citizen Irum Abbassi, who was travelling out of San Diego's International Airport, claims she actually said 'I've got to go', reports the Daily Mail.
The mother-of-three was searched and made her way back to the flight but the crew refused to allow her back on board. She took the next flight – and is now suing Southwest Airlines for the 'humiliating' incident in March.
She was given an apology, a voucher and a boarding pass for the next San Jose flight.
Her lawyer James McElroy said: "Suspicions were aroused because of her religion. She would not have been removed from the plane if she had been a blond-haired, blue-eyed woman."
A Southwest Airlines spokesman said: “We do not discriminate against anyone for any reason, and we've been recognised as a leader for our diversity and care for all of our customers throughout our 40 years of service.”
In September the airline removed a female couple who kissed during a flight and earlier this year it removed Green Day singer Billy Joe Armstrong and a University of New Mexico football player for wearing trousers that were too baggy.
By Diane Evans
Diane
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events