United Airlines apologizes after Muslim passenger denied unopened can of soda, told it could be used as weapon

A Shuttle America flight attendant who refused to provide a Muslim passenger with an unopened can of Diet Coke "will no longer serve United customers," the airline said Wednesday.

 

The decision followed an investigation into the woman's claim that she was discriminated against after told that an unopened can could be used as a weapon.

In an email sent to the Associated Press, United spokesman Charles Hobart said the airline "does not tolerate behavior that is discriminatory — or that appears to be discriminatory — against our customers or employees."

That decision comes after Tahera Ahmad, who's a Muslim chaplain at Northwestern University, wrote on Facebook about her experience while on a Chicago to Washington flight Friday.

 

The 31-year-old explained that she wanted an unopened can for hygienic reasons. After her request was denied she pointed to a man seated next to her who was given an unopened can of beer.

"She looked at his can, quickly grabbed it and opened it and said, "it's so you don't use it as a weapon,'" Ahmad wrote on Facebook.

Ahmad, who at the time was wearing the Muslim headscarf known as the hijab, said she asked around her to see if others had witnessed "the discriminatory and disgusting behavior."

That's when she claims a man sitting across her aisle yelled out: "You Moslem, (sic) you need to shut the F--- up."

After she questioned what he told her, she claims he leaned over and while locking eyes said: "yes you know you would use it as a WEAPON so shut the f--- up."

In an earlier statement issued by United, the airline called it "a misunderstanding regarding a can of diet soda."

Ahmad later spat back, expressing her disappointment over their handling.

"Unfortunately United has dismissed my entire narrative and trivialized it to a can of soda," she posted on Facebook Sunday.

"I have not received a written sincere apology for the pain and hurt I experienced as a result of the discrimination and hateful words towards me. This is not about a can of soda," she continued.

The airline sharpened its stance as Ahmad and the Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations prepared Wednesday for a news conference in Chicago.

The new United statement also followed a letter from Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro to United CEO Jeff Smisek requesting a formal apology and "assurances that United will train its staff so that she and others are never again subjected to such discrimination on a United flight."

Hobart said Wednesday that United's "customer-facing employees undergo annual and recurrent customer service training, which includes lessons in cultural awareness." He said United will "continue to work with all of our partners" on cultural awareness.

"While United did not operate the flight, Ms. Ahmad was our customer and we apologize to her for what occurred on the flight," Hobart said.

With News Wire Services