Southwest Airlines Accused of Racial Discrimination After Passenger Ejected from Flight

Pharmacist Claims She Was Removed Because of Her Race

Dr. Briana Hicks, a Black pharmacist from Chicago, says she was wrongfully ejected from a Southwest Airlines flight on November 20, 2023, in an incident she describes as racially motivated.

According to a lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court, Hicks boarded a flight from Chicago Midway to Washington, D.C., and sat in the exit row. She claims she was the only Black passenger in that row.

Conflict Over Phone Use Escalates

When a flight attendant began the safety briefing, Hicks says she:

• Switched her phone to airplane mode

• Placed it face-down in her lap

Despite this, the attendant repeatedly called her out for “being on her phone,” even though, the lawsuit states, other (white) passengers nearby were visibly using laptops and phones. One of them even confronted the attendant, questioning the unequal treatment.

Removed from Plane After Reporting Incident

After the briefing, Dr. Hicks reported the interaction to flight attendants in the rear of the plane. They acknowledged the situation but claimed they could do nothing.

Shortly after, she was told by the same flight attendant to leave the aircraft, right in the aisle before returning to her seat. She was rebooked on a later flight — arriving in D.C. four hours late.

Complaint Ignored, Airline Defends Its Decision

Despite submitting online complaints and emailing Southwest executives, the airline responded by accusing Dr. Hicks of disrupting order on the plane, stating their right to deny service to anyone who:

• Refuses to follow crew instructions

• Engages in “verbal confrontation”

• Exhibits “disorderly” behavior

Dr. Hicks denies any of this and claims she was respectful throughout the incident.

Lawsuit Seeks Justice and Accountability

This is now the third racial discrimination suit filed against a U.S. airline this year:

• January: A mixed-race couple vs. American Airlines

• June: Four Asian American women vs. United Airlines

• Now: Hicks vs. Southwest Airlines

Dr. Hicks seeks punitive damages and legal fees, asserting that she was singled out solely due to race and humiliated in front of passengers.

Southwest Airlines declined to comment, citing pending litigation.