Two flight attendants have sued United Airlines for race, age, and sex discrimination on chartered sports flights. The lawsuit says United Airlines “has adopted and continues to implement procedures that are designed to ensure that young, white, blonde/blue-eyed, female employees receive positions with the charter program.”
The suit also maintains that more senior and Black and Jewish employees, such as the plaintiffs, do not get chosen. Flight attendants who work such flights earn more money and receive premium accommodations.
In the lawsuit, flight attendants Sharon Tesler and Kim Guillory, say that they were denied work on charter flights because they were not on the “preferred” lists that sports teams get to make based on their preferences. They say that their complaints were ignored.
Both flight attendants are long-serving employees each with more than 25 years’ service.
United says charter customers were able to choose a ‘dedicated’ crew of flight attendants, and, “There was nothing United could do except comply with the customer’s request.”
The airline operates charters for several pro sports teams including Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Crew working the flights often receive game tickets including Super Bowl, as well as exclusive field access passes, the lawsuit said.