Quantcast

Southwest Airlines faces discrimination lawsuit over Hispanic student flight program

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Southwest Airlines faces discrimination lawsuit over Hispanic student flight program
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

A US District Judge has determined that Southwest Airlines must address a discrimination lawsuit concerning its free flight program for Hispanic students. The American Alliance for Equal Rights initiated the lawsuit in May, alleging that the ¡Lánzate! Travel Award Program discriminated based on race and breached federal civil rights laws.

In response to the lawsuit, Southwest Airlines expanded the program to include all races and offered a nominal damage payment of $0.01 to the American Alliance for Equal Rights, requesting them to withdraw their suit. However, this offer was declined by the alliance. Judge Sidney Fitzwater of the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas stated that Southwest's "unsuccessful tender of one cent to Alliance was plainly an unaccepted offer that could not moot Alliance’s nominal damages claims," emphasizing that an "unaccepted settlement offer is insufficient to render a case moot."

Edward Blum, President of the American Alliance for Equal Rights, praised the ruling as "a powerful tool to prevent case-mooting tactics from discriminators nationwide." The alliance's lawsuit argues that the program excluded students of other races who would benefit equally from it, contravening the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1964.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The ¡Lánzate! Travel Award Program began in 2004 through a partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), which collaborates with over 600 educational institutions. The program provided four free roundtrip tickets annually to Hispanic students attending schools more than 200 miles from home.

Southwest Airlines recently announced plans to discontinue diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices following a legal challenge by America First Legal. This organization argued against discrimination based on immutable characteristics. In 2022, approximately 63% of Southwest's new hires were from racially diverse backgrounds, with women making up 51%.

The debate over DEI programs has gained attention as some major companies reconsider their policies. Boeing plans to merge its DEI department with another human resources division after facing criticism over hiring practices. Similarly, Walmart and Ford Motor have reversed their DEI policies.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Emirates has announced that the My Emirates Pass will be available throughout the year with seasonal offers in summer and winter.

Apr 3, 2025

United Airlines has announced the issuance of travel waivers for passengers whose flights were affected by closures at London Heathrow Airport.

Apr 2, 2025

ITA Airways announced that flight AZ806 managed to land safely after a brief hold due to nearby missile activity.

Apr 2, 2025

EVA Air has announced the reinstatement of its Premium Economy Class on the Seattle route, with three weekly flights scheduled from March 8 through July 27.

Apr 2, 2025

Emirates Airlines has announced the launch of a new door-to-door delivery service called 'Very Important Parcels' (VIPs), promising the same level of care as provided to its passengers.

Apr 2, 2025

Cargolux has announced the transportation of two lions, Tsar and Jamil, from captivity in Ukraine to a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa.

Apr 2, 2025