A Montreal-based African American family has raised allegations of racial prejudice after they were dismissed from a July flight bound for Florida. Nine members of the Wright family claim they were asked to disembark from their July 28 journey from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport due to bringing the overlooked luggage to the flight crew’s attention.
During a Tuesday press briefing, Mr. Keith Wright narrated the family’s ordeal. He stated his daughter alerted one of the flight attendants to their luggage being left out on the tarmac. As the plane was readying for takeoff, the pilot informed passengers that not all bags would be shipped due to weight constraints. Mr. Wright and his daughter attempted to negotiate a compromise with the flight stewards in light of this announcement.
Contrarily, the plane circled back to the gate, and father and daughter were asked to leave the aircraft, without being provided any explanation. The embarrassment, according to Wright, was palpable as a supervisor began asking passengers seat by seat to vacate the plane. Being seated in the rear, the Wright family had to walk all the way through the crowded plane to the exit, amidst questioning eyes of fellow passengers.
He added, seven more family members, ranging from as young as five to sixty, were also requested to disembark the journey to Orlando. Despite not having engaged with crew members, they were included in the expulsion.
Left with no other options, they resorted to driving through the night to the U.S., just making in time for their scheduled cruise after securing another flight.
The Wright family intends to present complaints of racial profiling with the Canadian Human Rights Commission with assistance from local anti-racism advocacy group, CRARR, the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations in Montreal. They are also seeking financial redress for the incident, which left them deeply hurt and in disbelief.
Air Canada’s Vice President, Christophe Hennebelle, acknowledged the removal of a group of passengers from the Orlando-bound flight on July 28, 2023, adding the action was taken only for the safety and well-being of other customers and crew members. While specific details will not be discussed publicly, Air Canada insists it will justify its decision if necessary upon receipt of the filed complaint.
