Lufthansa has been fined $4 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation following a contentious incident in 2022 where Jewish passengers were denied boarding onto a connecting flight. This record penalty was issued after an occurrence where travelers from New York to Budapest were barred during their Frankfurt layover. According to reports, the passengers donned attire typical of Orthodox Jewish men. Initially prompted by a notification from the captain that some passengers weren't adhering to mask mandates, Lufthansa implemented ticket holds affecting over 100 Jewish individuals. This decision exclusively targeted Jewish passengers regardless of individual compliance with mask-wearing rules. The DOT characterized Lufthansa's action as discriminatory and emphasized that it failed to evaluate passengers on an individual basis. Consequentially, an investigation was launched after complaints, revealing no clear misconduct among individual travelers. Lufthansa stated the enforcement involved due to multiple reports of rule infractions, which were allegedly widespread and inconsistent. Despite denying intentional discrimination, Lufthansa expressed dedication to cultural sensitivity and cooperation during the inquiry. The company has worked on staff training improvements and paid over $2 million to affected passengers, which counts toward the penalty. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted that the fine underscores a commitment to addressing civil rights violations in aviation.
Lufthansa Fined $4 Million for Discriminatory Conduct Against Jewish Passengers
Lufthansa Fined $4 Million for Discriminatory Conduct Against Jewish Passengers
The U.S. Department of Transportation has imposed a record $4 million penalty on Lufthansa for barring Jewish passengers from a 2022 flight, citing civil rights violations.
Lufthansa faced the largest civil rights penalty in aviation history after allegedly discriminating against Jewish passengers on a 2022 flight. The incident involved travelers wearing traditional Orthodox Jewish attire who were barred from a connecting flight in Frankfurt. The U.S. Department of Transportation charged Lufthansa with treating the passengers as a single group, even though many were not associated with each other. Lufthansa has agreed to pay the fine without admitting fault, attributing the issue to miscommunication. The airline is committed to diversity, and the penalty serves as a warning against discrimination in air travel.
