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NYC Orthodox Jewish Family Files $40M Discrimination Lawsuit Against JetBlue Airlines
Edited by: Fern Sidman
A Queens couple has filed a $40 million lawsuit against JetBlue, alleging that their family was unfairly removed from a New York-bound flight due to their Orthodox Jewish identity. As was reported in the New York Post, Michael Nektalov, 42, his wife Miryem Yushanayev, and their five children were returning from an Aruba vacation on February 4, 2021, when they, along with another Jewish family, were asked to leave the plane. The lawsuit, filed in Brooklyn Federal Court, claims that the removal was based on discriminatory actions against the family’s religious attire and practices.
The couple contends that they were dressed in accordance with the customs of their Orthodox Jewish community. Miryem wore a head covering, and Michael sported a long beard and a yarmulke. The family also occasionally spoke in Hebrew during the flight. According to court papers, the trouble began when JetBlue employees allegedly gave them “disdainful and dirty looks,” setting the stage for a distressing experience, according to the report in the Post.
Shortly before takeoff, the plane taxied back to the gate, prompting confusion among the Nektalov family. When Miryem inquired about the situation, she was told her mask had slipped off her nose. The family alleges that this was a false accusation, and the flight attendant made a note of her seat, as was indicated in the Post report. Subsequently, Miryem was removed from the plane, falsely accused of not wearing a face mask. Another Jewish family faced a similar situation and was also asked to leave.
The legal filing states that when the families questioned the reason for their removal, a JetBlue employee allegedly announced loudly that if they did not comply, the entire plane would be deplaned. The Post report said that Michael Nektalov expressed in the court papers that during this moment, he felt as though they were “in Nazi Germany, and that we were being isolated, vilified, and herded for disposal.”
JetBlue spokesperson Derek Dombrowski stated that the company had not yet reviewed the lawsuit but emphasized that JetBlue does not tolerate discrimination of any kind, as per the report in the Post. He assured that the company takes such claims seriously and will thoroughly investigate the facts surrounding the incident.
The $40 million lawsuit against JetBlue underscores the serious allegations of discrimination made by the Orthodox Jewish family. As the legal proceedings unfold, the incident raises broader questions about airline policies, passenger treatment, and the importance of addressing discrimination in air travel. The case will likely prompt a closer examination of the events surrounding the Nektalov family’s removal and JetBlue’s response to allegations of religious bias, contributing to the ongoing discourse on ensuring fair treatment for all passengers, regardless of their religious or cultural identity.
