Lufthansa Fined $4M for Denying Boarding to Jewish Passengers

Lufthansa has agreed to pay a $4 million (€3.67 million) fine imposed by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for denying boarding to Jewish passengers on a flight. This penalty marks the largest ever issued by the DOT for civil rights violations in the airline industry.

The incident occurred in May 2022 when 128 Jewish passengers, many dressed in traditional Orthodox clothing, were barred from boarding their connecting flight in Germany. These passengers were traveling from John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) with a layover in Frankfurt (FRA) before heading to Budapest (BUD). The DOT received over 40 complaints from the affected passengers regarding discrimination.

According to the DOT’s investigation, the airline removed the passengers based on the alleged misconduct of a few individuals on the initial flight. The captain had alerted Lufthansa security that some passengers were not following crew instructions, but the airline failed to identify which passengers were responsible for the alleged behavior.

Passengers who spoke with DOT investigators reported that Lufthansa treated all Jewish passengers as if they were a single group, despite many not knowing each other or traveling together. This collective punishment was a significant factor in the complaints received.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated, “No one should face discrimination when they travel, and today’s action sends a clear message to the airline industry that we are prepared to investigate and take action whenever passengers’ civil rights are violated.” He highlighted the department’s commitment to holding airlines accountable for their treatment of passengers.

As a result of the security alert, tickets for more than 100 passengers traveling to Budapest were placed on hold, preventing them from boarding their next flight in Frankfurt. The DOT’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection affirmed its dedication to ensuring that all passengers can fly without facing discrimination, reinforcing its authority to take action against such violations in the future.

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