U.S. DOT Fines Lufthansa $4M Over Jewish Passenger Lawsuit
Lufthansa, Germany's major airline, has received a $4 million fine from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). This penalty stems from allegations that the airline discriminated against Jewish passengers during a May 2022 flight incident.
The DOT announced that Lufthansa barred 128 passengers dressed in traditional Orthodox Jewish clothing from boarding a connecting flight in Germany. These passengers were traveling from New York City to Budapest. The DOT reported that Lufthansa staff treated all 128 passengers as a single group, claiming it was due to the "alleged misconduct of some passengers." This action was taken despite many individuals in the group not knowing each other and not traveling together.
Some members of the group allegedly violated the airline's mask policy. A video captured at the time shows Lufthansa employees telling passengers that "everyone has to pay" for the actions of a few. They specifically referenced "everyone" as "Jewish coming from JFK." Reports from German media indicated that staff denied boarding based on visible signs of Jewish identity, such as skullcaps or sidelocks.
The fine issued to Lufthansa marks the DOT's largest civil rights penalty ever imposed against an airline. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of non-discrimination in travel, stating, "No one should face discrimination when they travel." He further mentioned that the recent actions send a strong message to the airline industry about the need to uphold passengers' civil rights.
In response to the incident, Lufthansa released a statement saying it fully cooperated with the DOT during its investigation. The airline has also partnered with the American Jewish Committee to create a unique training program to combat antisemitism and discrimination. In its statement, Lufthansa declared, "Through our ongoing collaboration, we have curated a first-of-its-kind training program in the airline industry for our managers and employees."
Additionally, Lufthansa had previously apologized for the incident, asserting its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against racism, antisemitism, and any form of discrimination. The airline aims to foster an environment of goodwill, diversity, and acceptance among its staff and passengers alike.
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