Celiac Pilot Sues United Airlines Over Gluten-Free Meal Dispute
Captain Mark MacKenzie, a seasoned pilot with United Airlines, has filed a lawsuit against the airline alleging discrimination and failure to accommodate his celiac disease. MacKenzie, who has been with the Chicago-based carrier since March 1992, claims United Airlines has repeatedly refused to provide him with gluten-free meals or accommodations, despite his condition requiring strict dietary restrictions.
MacKenzie, a Denver-based pilot with 35 years of accident-free flying, asserts that United Airlines has not made reasonable accommodations for his disability, resulting in him being served meals that contain gluten—a substance he cannot consume due to his celiac disease. According to MacKenzie, ingestion of gluten leads to severe impairment of multiple major life activities and poses serious long-term health risks.
The 12-page complaint, recently filed in a Colorado district court, outlines MacKenzie’s grievances against United Airlines. He alleges that the airline frequently provides him with meals that are unsuitable for his condition, often charging him for these meals despite their unsuitability. Additionally, MacKenzie reports that when gluten-free meals are occasionally offered, they are not truly gluten-free and, therefore, remain inedible for him.
Unlike regular passengers, pilots like MacKenzie reportedly do not have the option to select special dietary meals, such as gluten-free options, from United Airlines. The airline’s current practice is to occasionally provide ‘gluten-sensitive’ meals, which MacKenzie states do not meet his dietary needs. Consequently, he is forced to bring his own food from home.
Furthermore, MacKenzie claims that United Airlines deducts the cost of unsuitable meals from his salary, even when the meals cannot be consumed. The situation is compounded by United’s alleged failure to place him in hotels with gluten-free dining options, despite his requests for accommodations that meet his dietary needs.
MacKenzie initially informed United Airlines of his celiac disease in 2020, seeking access to gluten-free meals. However, he asserts that his requests have been consistently denied. Instead, the airline purportedly suggested that he consume specific parts of regular meals that are presumed to be gluten-free, a solution MacKenzie rejected due to concerns about accurate labeling and cross-contamination.
In his lawsuit, MacKenzie seeks claims under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and is requesting a court order to compel United Airlines to provide appropriate gluten-free meals. This legal action underscores the broader issue of accommodating employees with dietary restrictions and highlights the need for airlines to adhere to disability accommodation laws.
The case has brought attention to the broader challenge of ensuring that all employees receive necessary accommodations for their health conditions, particularly in industries like aviation where specific dietary needs must be carefully managed.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, paddleyourownkanoo.com