The lawsuit, filed in Houston on Friday, alleges that the woman — a member of United’s Star Alliance frequent-flier group — was ejected from the plane during a flight from Houston to San Francisco as part of a three-leg trip on March 4, 2016, from Nigeria to Canada, where her children were going to school, the Houston Chronicle reports.
The woman, identified in court documents as Queen Obioma, claims she boarded a plane at Bush Intercontinental Airport to find a white man sitting in her assigned business class seat. The male passenger refused to move — even after United representatives tried to seat him elsewhere on the plane. Obioma eventually agreed to take the man’s assigned seat nearby, according to the lawsuit.
Obioma then used the restroom before takeoff and was blocked in the aisle by the same passenger as she tried to return to her seat. A United employee identified as Russel H. then ordered Obioma to step off the plane, where she was met by another United staffer who told her the pilot asked for her to be escorted off the plane due to a complaint from the unidentified male passenger, according to the lawsuit.
The man complained that Obioma had a “pungent” smell and said he wasn’t comfortable flying with her. Obioma then told United employees that her children were still on the plane, but she was not allowed back on the aircraft and her children were also removed, according to the lawsuit.
“Ms. Obioma watched her minor children marched out of the aircraft like criminals, confused and perplexed and she slumped,” the lawsuit reads, according to a copy obtained by ABC News. “She sobbed uncontrollably for a long time.”
Five hours later, Obioma and her family were put on another plane to finish their journey, but her children missed scheduled appointments, costing her more money. Obioma, who is seeking punitive damages and attorney fees, claims she was discriminated against because she’s black and accused United employees of singling her out due to her race.
An attorney for Obioma could not be reached for comment, according to the Houston Chronicle.
A spokeswoman for United Airlines, meanwhile, declined comment when reached Monday by The Post, saying it had not yet been served with the lawsuit.
“United does not tolerate discrimination of any kind and will investigate this matter,” spokeswoman Kimberly Gibbs said in a statement to The Post.
from nypost
Hiannnnn. Pungent smell kwa???
ReplyDeleteThey have made her a billionaire. I pray her lawyer is good.
DeleteShe's a frequent flyer with the airline, and had never been removed over "pungent smell" abi odour, I kinda believe she was victimized. Hope she gets justice.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she had insulted the white man. Anyway cctv dey inside plane. They will all be alright cos I don't think any airline will do that to a customer who bought business class when it's not "gbogbo ero" economy
DeleteMy thoughts exactly! She's a frequent flyer and even bought business class!
DeleteUhm!!!.
ReplyDeleteUnited Airlines always in the news for bad reasons. Stupid, racist pricks. She’d been traveling for a whole day, of course she’s not supposed to smell exactly like roses. And they didn’t even have the common sense to consider the fact that she had little children, they threw them out like common criminals. That’s bullshit. Pungent smell korh. White people that smell like unwashed ass and sewer water. This is really upsetting. Mrs Obioma, go get your coins.
ReplyDeleteThe silly white man, the airline staff, the pilot and united airlines are all stark raving mad!!!!
Don't sob dear, follow the matter till the end and you will definitely be compensated.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you keep receipts of all the extra cost to yourself due to their racist behaviour.
I'm not understanding this story. After paying over a million naira for a business ticket someone will now seat on my seat and refuse to move. Then block me on the aile again. I don't understand dis story biko.
ReplyDeleteAnyways I wish her luck in her lawsuit. These airlines treat Nigerians anyhow on their flights coming from or naija bound.
As far as I am concerned I don't believe this story until we hear from the other party. How can someone buy business class tickets, not economy oooo in this hard time and they will excuse you out of the plane without doing something outrageous when there's cctv in the plane. Let's wait and see how it goes.
DeleteMumu did you even read the story before rushing to comment? The plane was going from Houston to San Diego in California.It was not flying inbound or outbound from Nigeria. Moreover United Airlines stopped plying the Nigerian route few years ago.
DeleteRacism
ReplyDeleteI wish her luck in her lawsuit, foolish airline
ReplyDeleteUnited airlines always in the news for racism. all that money amd you cannot get on the plane and sit on your assigned seat. rubbish
ReplyDeleteDisgusting racists! Can you believe this? I mean, can you freaking believe this story!?! White people who smell so much!!!
ReplyDeleteNa wa oooooo. Which one is pungent smell.
ReplyDeleteThe airline did not handle the situation well. Imagine the stewardess telling her to just sit somewhere else. Then the man deliberately blocking her and based on one complaint they kick her off the plane. I hope she has the best lawyer money can buy and they pay through the nose. Disgusting airline that I will never give my business to.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I so love me, Mrs Obioma go get your coin from that stupid white man and the racist airline.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you follow this matter till the end. Don't worry your tears will soon turn to tears of joy.
They know who they can mess with, I promise you they did not expect you to sue them.
That’s why I don’t fly United!!!
ReplyDeleteCould she have had ogirri in her bag? Trust Nigerians and our food that they can pack and pack. Just asking sha cos this tory get as e be?
ReplyDeleteExact same thought
DeleteStory get k leg oo
ReplyDeleteI live in Houston and Nigerians usually have this musky smell.its possible Obioma just made soup/stew and threw on a coat to board the flight. I remember in church the lady beside me almost made me throw up each time we raised hands to pray. A bath ,deodorant can do one good especially in Houston summer heat. Temp is 90F today
ReplyDeleteAmerica what a country
ReplyDeleteI believe she created a scene and was kicked off the plane. I
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