Black Woman Removed From First Class On American Airlines Flight After White Man’s Complaint

A black woman claimed she was kicked off an American Airlines flight after a white man said he felt threatened by her presence.

The user, referring to herself as ‘Magic‘on social media, was boarding an Austin-bound airplane from Chicago that had been delayed for three hours. She was in the process of moving her backpack when the passenger next to her stood up and started yelling.

In a matter of minutes, staff escorted Magic — who was seated in first-class and had paid $1,000 — back into the airport, physically pushing her in a removal attempt.

Since then, the woman has made multiple videos on TikTok describing the situation, with almost three million viewers tuning in to her updates and explanations.

A black woman and her partner were forced off an American Airlines flight after a white man claimed to be “threatened” by her

American Airlines plane on runway with mountains in background.

Image credits: Airborne YVR/Pexels (Not the actual photo)

According to Magic, she had initially put her backpack below her seat before a flight attendant came over and said that any personal belongings had to be placed in the compartments above.

She stood up and briefly touched a bag to move it, creating space, when the passenger next to her yelled, “Do not touch my bag! Do not touch my stuff!” 

“And I said, ‘okay, I’m sorry, my bad, I can put my bag somewhere else,” Magic recalled in her viral video.

Black woman smiling outdoors in an orange blouse and black pants.

Image credits: lovergirlmagic

@lovergirlmagic#americanairlines♬ original sound – MAGIC ✨

A member of the cabin crew then helped her place her baggage in another area, with the TikToker’s only request being that her belongings stay close to her as she had a MacBook and iPad inside — and she didn’t know anyone else on the plane, beside her partner.

After she got settled, Magic said she noticed the same person who had previously yelled at her leaned over to whisper in his wife’s ear.

It didn’t take long for the situation to escalate after that.

“He got up and he said, ‘I’m threatened, I feel threatened,’” Magic said. “And he yelled at the people on the plane and [told] them that he felt threatened and that he felt uncomfortable.”

The altercation started when Magic touched the passenger’s bag to move it out of the way

Black woman sharing experience about being removed from first class on a flight, with "story time" text on screen.

Image credits: lovergirlmagic

She continued, saying the passenger claimed it to be “a race thing,” and felt intimidated due to the fact that he was white and Magic was Black. 

The man allegedly tried to convince staff that she had mentioned something “racist” toward him, but the social media user seemed to remember things differently, claiming she’d only spoken to him to apologize about the baggage and never interacted with him again. 

At the end of the day, however, American Airlines forcibly removed her and her partner from the flight with only one explanation: “It’s a race thing.”

Black woman and her girlfriend posing together in a restroom mirror selfie.

Image credits: lovergirlmagic

@lovergirlmagic Replying to @Michael ♬ original sound – MAGIC ✨

In the clip Magic posted, one of the attendants could also be seen waving at her as she stepped back out on the platform, repeating, “Happy New Year.” 

“I asked, ‘What’s the race problem?’” she said in the video. “If there’s a race thing, it should be against me more than anything.”

Her last update on the incident was from December 31, 2024.

“It’s a race thing” was the only explanation for Magic’s removal

Airline staff in uniform with gloves, standing in aircraft doorway.

Image credits: lovergirlmagic

@lovergirlmagic#americanairlines♬ original sound – MAGIC ✨

Internet sleuths quickly used their research skills and discovered the name of the white man to be Andrew “Andy” Swanson, reportedly from Optimal teleHealth — and noted that American Airlines has always had a negative reputation with racism.

“American Airlines is trash. They are racist as hell and hate people with disabilities,” threw in a previous passenger. “I booked my seat where I did because of my disability and they told me THEY would assess if I WAS disabled.”

“I’m so sorry this happened. You were so incredibly calm throughout all of this,” someone sympathized. “I so look up to your calmness but god you didn’t deserve this and I hope this is made up to you.”

A third offered, “This is crazy. So sorry this happened to you both. Please get a lawyer and sue American Airlines and that Andrew guy. This is completely unacceptable and ridiculous.”

Comments were, unsurprisingly, all in favor of Magic suing the airline company

Black woman discussing an incident on a flight, wearing a black hoodie indoors.

Image credits: lovergirlmagic

@lovergirlmagic#americanairlines#flights#race♬ original sound – MAGIC ✨

“The condescending attitude of that attendant makes me sick,” said another, referring to the employee who wished her a “Happy New Year. “

“American Airlines is so [racist],” a user wrote. “They were banned years back by the NAACP as a company you should not fly with because of their racism. They just settled a lawsuit after accusing several Black men of being smelly. 🤦🏾‍♀️”

An article by the Washington Post confirmed this to be true.

The entire altercation with the airline left a sour taste in Magic’s mouth.

“I felt isolated because I was the only person of color in first class and the flight attendant did not wantt o show me where to charge my phone and then asked me to put my bag away without helping,” she told Bored Panda.

She also added that it’s always important to “stay alert and pay attention.”

“ALWAYS RECORD,” she emphasized.

American Airlines has had a long history of acting in a racist manner toward minorities, according to comments

Woman smiling and sitting on a swing against a backdrop with dessert illustrations.

Image credits: lovergirlmagic

Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, Xavier Veal, and five other unidentified passengers were booted off an American Airlines flight in January 2024 after a white attendant complained about their body odor. 

The eight men filed a lawsuit shortly thereafter and, as of last month, the case is now officially closed.

“We are very pleased that American Airlines took our complaint seriously and we hope this never happens to Black passengers or any other people of color again,” said Jackson, Joseph, and Veal in a statement in December 2024.

“Our goal in speaking out has always been to create change. We are proud that we used our voices to make a difference in the lives of Black Americans.”

American Airlines plane in flight against a clear blue sky.

Image credits: Forsaken Films / Unsplash

While what happened to Magic is an ongoing investigation, a spokesperson for the airline company said, “We take all allegations of discrimination seriously and our team is working to get in touch with this customer to learn more about her experience.”

Anecdotes poured in from social media users and many called out the flight attendant who had wished Magic a Happy New Year

Comment discussing flight cancellations and frustrations related to a black woman removed from first class.

User comments on an incident involving a Black woman removed from first class on an American Airlines flight.

Comment on airlines and flight experiences, mentioning AA flights and concerns after incident.

Screenshot of a comment with 543 likes reading, "she waved you off disgusting.

Comment on American Airlines flight attendant's attitude, expressing dissatisfaction.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing an incident on an American Airlines flight.

Comment about airline incident involving passenger, expressing frustration with the woman's behavior.

Comment criticizing American Airlines after incident with Black woman removed from first class.

Comment criticizing American Airlines with advice to get a lawyer, expressing frustration.

Comment discussing American Airlines lawsuit for discrimination.

Comment expressing disappointment in American Airlines over customer removal incident.

Comment expressing concern about racial bias in airline practices, discussing a story involving a Black woman on a flight.

Comment on Civil Rights violations by airlines, highlighting increasing concerns.

Comment on American Airlines incident involving first-class removal, mentioned in an online discussion.

Comment discussing alleged racist reputation of American Airlines with winking emoji.

Social media comment expressing anger about sarcastic flight attendant on American Airlines.

Comment criticizing American Airlines' treatment of passengers, focusing on racism and discrimination against disabilities.

Text comment expressing disapproval of American Airlines with 107 likes.

Comment criticizing American Airlines for removing black woman from first class after a complaint, suggesting apology.

Comment by a woman criticizing American Airlines experience with emojis and engagement statistics visible.

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