United Airlines sued for discrimination on sports charter flights

Two United Airlines flight attendants are claiming discrimination in a lawsuit that accuses the airline of only wanting “youthful, white flight attendants – most of whom are blonde” to work on National Football League (NFL) charter flights.

Veteran stewards Kim Guillory and Sharon Teslor filed a discrimination lawsuit which alleges that older crew members are effectively prohibited from working on charter flights.

Ms Guillory and Ms Tesler, who are long-serving crew members with more than 25 years’ service, say that staff were selected “entirely on their racial and physical attributes, and stereotypical notions of sexual allure”, according to  the suit, which is in violation of the law in California, where the lawsuit has been filed.

After raising her concerns with management, Ms Guillory was allegedly informed that the assigned team would come from a “preferred list of flight attendants”, which the claimants say “consists entirely of youthful, white flight attendants — most of whom are blonde”.

The two pair claimed in the suit that they have subsequently suffered harassment over the matter and are claiming damages for discrimination.

“United has not only demeaned its hard-working and long-standing loyal employees, but created an egregious workplace culture in which discrimination, harassment, and retaliation have taken root and flourished,” the suit claims.

United stated that charter customers are entitled to choose a “dedicated” crew of flight attendants and “there was nothing United could do except comply with the customer's request,” according to Travel Mole.

A charter flight grants a group or team exclusive use of an aircraft.

United Airlines holds contracts with the NFL, as well as Major League Baseball (MLB).

While flight attendants receive their normal salary for serving on charter flights, they often receive perks such as game tickets or VIP access to afterparties.

The process for selecting flight attendants for chartered flights is detailed in United’s Flight Attendant Agreement.

Under the section headed “Charters and Special Purpose Flights”, it reads: “Charters, extra sections and scenic flights assigned to a Base will be available for use in line construction or placed in open time, unless a particular Flight Attendant(s) has in open time, unless a particular Flight Attendant(s) has been requested by the charter organisation.”

A spokesperson for United told The Independent: “United Airlines is proud of our track record on diversity, equity and inclusion. 

“While we cannot comment on this ongoing litigation, the flight attendants included in our sports team charter program are largely representative of our overall flight attendant population in regards to age and race.”

It continued: "Importantly, flight attendant eligibility to work a charter flight is based solely on performance and attendance and has nothing to do with age, race or gender.”