Airlines

Flight attendant sues airline that fired her for being ‘too big’ for jump seat

Spirit Airlines is being sued for racial discrimination by an ex-flight attendant who claims she was fired because she couldn’t fit in the crew jumpseat but that a white flight attendant who had the same issue was given extra time to lose weight.

Following her termination in November 2021, Chelsia Blackmon has charged Spirit Air with racial discrimination in violation of both the federal Civil Rights Act and the Florida Civil Rights Act.Blackmon filed a case in District Court for the Southern District of Florida, seeking an undetermined amount in back pay, compensatory damages, and punitive penalties..

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Blackmon, a woman of African American descent, recently finished Spirit Airlines’ flight attendant training course. Blackmon had to demonstrate throughout her training course that she could properly secure herself with a four-point harness inside a flight attendant jumpseat.

According to Blackmon’s lawsuit, she was able to demonstrate that she could use the different jumpseats and harnesses found on Spirit Airlines’ Airbus A320-series aircraft and that she has flown on several occasions in different aircraft without experiencing any problems.

Blackmon learned that she couldn’t buckle up the harness because of her size on September 3, 2021, when she was assigned to work on an Airbus A319 aircraft. Since flight attendants are not allowed to employ seatbelt extenders, Blackmon was forced to disembark and lost her trip. After a brief investigation, the airline required that she provide proof that she could fit in a flight attendant jumpseat, and she was subsequently placed on administrative leave.

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Blackmon was instructed to secure herself in a jumpseat “that was too tiny for her” less than a month later. She was suspended after she couldn’t fit in the jumpseat, and a few weeks later her position was terminated. Despite the fact that Blackmon doesn’t question Spirit’s right to fire her due to her size, she asserts that a white flight attendant in a same situation was allowed time to fit in the jumpseat.

Blackmon claims Spirit intentionally violated her civil rights by allowing her less time to fit into the jumpseat because of her colour. She calls this action “wilful, malicious, and in reckless contempt” of her rights.

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Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.