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Home » American Airlines » Key Fact Emerges RE: Muslim Woman Kicked Off American Airlines Flight
American Airlines

Key Fact Emerges RE: Muslim Woman Kicked Off American Airlines Flight

Matthew Klint Posted onNovember 16, 2020November 14, 2023 53 Comments

a woman wearing a white scarf with a silver brooch on her head

There are still many questions surrounding the ejection and arrest of a Muslim woman onboard an American Airlines flight, but one fact has emerged: she was harassing the “white man” (as she called him) in first class. At the very least, that helps to explain why she was removed.

Why Was A Muslim Woman Ejected From American Airlines Flight?

First, a bit of background. 28-year-old Amani al-Khatahtbeh was removed from an American Airlines flight on Saturday, November 14, 2020. She streamed much of the encounter on her Facebook page (caution: NSFW due to coarse language), claiming that a white passenger in first class had complained about her, prompting American Airlines to unquestionably remove her.

Apparently, the trouble began when al-Khatahtbeh was proceeding through security. She took offense to a “white man” cutting in front of her while she took time removing her shoes. When she complained to TSA officers, they sided with the man who had “cut” her.

I had the craziest experience in TSA this morning.

An entitled white man behind me insisted on cutting me in line because I was “still taking my shoes off.”

When I said he could wait like everyone else, he started going off about how he’s “pre check” and “first class” 1/3

— AMANI (@AMANI2020) November 14, 2020

As an aside, cutting in line is common at security checkpoints when a traveler is taking extended time to empty their pockets or remove their shoes. Here, at Newark Airport, the TSA PreCheck and regular security lines had been merged. It appears al-Khatahtbeh did not comprehend this nor understand that PreCheck passengers do not have to remove their shoes.

An argument ensued enroute to the gate and it turns out they were on the same flight to Charlotte, AA2029.

An Onboard Confrontation

Andrew Tull, a spokesperson for American Airlines, provided more insight on what happened after they boarded the flight:

“[al-Khatahtbeh] confronted the passenger and began filming him before taking her seat.”

We see can listen to her profanity-laced tirades and fairly deduce that she confronted the passenger, began filming him, and created a scene onboard.

This seems to explain why she was thrown off. Frankly, I would also object to another passenger coming up to me, filming me, and berating me over a security checkpoint incident she failed to understand. Her filming of another passenger against his consent also ran afoul of AA’s onboard photography policy, which states:

Unauthorized photography or video recording of airline personnel, other customers, aircraft equipment or procedures is prohibited.

a text on a page

She refused to exit the aircraft so the entire aircraft was emptied before she was removed. It still is not clear why she was arrested.

@PANYNJ Police escorted her off the plane in handcuffs!! pic.twitter.com/jDUQhZMwzG

— Jake (@yesjaketapia) November 14, 2020

She later blamed her refusal to get off the aircraft because the man “who made me feel uncomfortable” was also not removed.

“I refused to get off because they’re not taking the man that made me feel uncomfortable and complained about me off the plane.”

Cautious Reaction from CAIR

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has taken a fairly cautious approach to the issue thus far, while still demanding an investigation:

“Although we do not yet know all of the facts about this incident, we do know that American Airlines has a history of mistreating Muslim travelers. The airline must immediately explain why it singled out Amani by contacting the police and ejecting her from a flight based on the word of a man who had allegedly harassed her…

“Any investigation must look into the conduct of the unidentified man who allegedly sparked this disturbing incident.”

That’s fair. And perhaps we now have the answer: she chose to escalate the issue by harassing the other passenger onboard and filming him, contrary to AA’s onboard privacy policy.

There are still many unanswered questions, including concerns about the conduct of the so-called “white man.” But even his poor behavior would not excuse her poor behavior onboard.

CONCLUSION

Islamophobia is real and I’ve written about unfair incidents concerning Muslims and Muslim-Americans many times over the years. CAIR, it seems to me, would be wise to focus on real issues of prejudice and not the profanity-laced rantings of a self-serving person with a history of expressing questionable anti-Semitic sentiment (implying the Israeli government still harvests Palestinian organs) or imbecilic conspiracy theories that 9/11 was an “inside job.”

image: Amani 2020

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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53 Comments

  1. Hal Reply
    November 16, 2020 at 2:51 pm

    She goes directly to Islamaphobia, where this is much more of the stereotype of the whiny, attention seeking vlogger/Tik Tok star problem

    • Louise Reply
      November 17, 2020 at 7:52 am

      So many times this happens. As soon as people hear an Islam or any other foreigner reports they have had “their rights” disturbed from a scale of either -0 – any other number, automatically the foreigner is right and the American in America is wrong. Saying that, I know there are foreigners who absolutely do get abused and worse and the person involved should definitely get investigated and if guilty in a court of law pay! But this online judging, jurors and at times, real executioners have to stop! These media corporations are getting multi billionaire rich directly encouraging all people to fight with words and hate each other when we’ve never even met! It’s a gimmick to them to get richer everyday and they couldn’t give a crap what happens to anyone! But GOD see’s everything!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. Paolo Reply
    November 16, 2020 at 2:55 pm

    We all see these ‘entitled’ types strutting through airports. They’re total A-holes. Generally the same ones having ‘important’ ‘phone calls audible to everyone. But this case seems to be her own misunderstanding rather than flagrant abuse

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      November 16, 2020 at 2:57 pm

      Agreed, the guy probably was nasty and self-entitled.

      But we know two wrongs don’t make it right.

      • Louise Reply
        November 17, 2020 at 7:01 am

        The man was “probably nasty and self entitled?” That is an assumption, not a fact as in what the facts about the Islam woman did! This would have been a “real” news story if she passed him and he berated her. It would have been front page! Stop these irrelevant blogs to stir hate when obviously you don’t know “real” facts! Disgusting!

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          November 17, 2020 at 7:19 am

          An American Airlines spokesperson stated they were arguing from the security checkpoint to the gate. It seems to me only a nasty person would engage another nasty person in something as trivial as what occurred.

          • Louise
            November 17, 2020 at 7:32 am

            Listen, there obviously was not one thing wrong with what he did, okay. But what you are doing, Even though you were not there, for the love of controversy, suggesting the man’s actions or words were equal to that of a person who berated and obviously embarrassed this person who, before all this nonsense, was minding his own business legally and morally!!!! She, on the other hand, evidently, was not! Evidently is factually true. Evidence, which many have forgotten in this beautiful country for the sake of being a follower rather than an individual!

          • Matthew Klint
            November 17, 2020 at 7:02 pm

            I’m not suggesting they were equal. I’ve said clearly above she deserved to be thrown off and she’s a spoiled brat, not a victim of religious profiling. But it generally takes two to tango. My new policy is just to pretend the idiot isn’t there. Ignore them. Don’t react. Don’t respond. Don’t even look at them.

      • Louise Reply
        November 17, 2020 at 7:59 am

        So you work or worked in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, well I’d like to know what your title was or is in the aviation industry and what are your duties are or were in both occupations. Thank you!

        • Lyn Minton Reply
          November 21, 2020 at 1:25 am

          Louise, thank you for all your comments which I totally agree with. I also believe that there was only 1 nasty person who was wrong as well. Journalists have the responsibility & obligation to report real facts vs “probable” cause. How can we promote tolerance & have peace in the world if the race card is constantly alluded to?

  3. Joey Reply
    November 16, 2020 at 2:57 pm

    I agree Islamophobia is real but in this case I think AA would have done the same thing if a stranger who is white or asian or latino or whatever ethnicity did the same thing as what that woman did.
    I forget the details but didn’t UA kicked you, a white man, out of a flight once several years ago for simply taking photos!?!

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      November 16, 2020 at 2:58 pm

      It did…and not even of a person, just of my seat!

      https://liveandletsfly.com/thrown-off-a-united-airlines-flight-for-taking-pictures/

      • Louise Reply
        November 17, 2020 at 7:12 am

        Than live by the rules yourself because you could have taken pics of people or airline personnel inconspicuously. But that’s an assumption right, obviously I wasn’t there and I shouldn’t be making an insinuation seem true. I believe you certainly understand the confusion!!!

    • Louise Reply
      November 17, 2020 at 7:04 am

      No 4Really? Mathew Clint got kicked off a flight!! Well now, I have to do some research on that! Thanks!

  4. Stephen W Reply
    November 16, 2020 at 2:57 pm

    Oh jeez not the Islamophobia stuff. Sounds likes she’s a Karen and she ended up in the correct situation (in cuffs).

    We need more people like her removed from flights.

    • AlohaDaveKennedy Reply
      November 16, 2020 at 11:42 pm

      Steven W. – isn’t she more likely a Kayrn as she is a muslim?

      • Louise Reply
        November 17, 2020 at 7:15 am

        Ah hahaha!!!!! That was good though! A good joke!

        • Fatima Reply
          November 20, 2020 at 2:00 pm

          Your obviously going against your own words here. Bashing the author for accusations, while you’re here laughing at a stereotypical joke that isn’t even funny. Pathetic, really.

      • Ali Reply
        November 18, 2020 at 3:01 pm

        that isnt funny lmao

        • Fatima Reply
          November 20, 2020 at 2:01 pm

          EXACTLY !! LMFAO

  5. debit Reply
    November 16, 2020 at 3:14 pm

    Yeah. Now the shoe is about to be on the other foot for 4 years and entitled karens will come out of the woodwork and play the victim card.

    This race and religion based politics should have no place in the US. Again we see a bunch of politicians who enabled this ecosystem just to get elected and we have people relying on it on both sides of he aisle to play victiim, justify policy etc.

    America, stop electing geriatric idiots. We need fresh blood.

  6. Steve Reply
    November 16, 2020 at 3:52 pm

    “cutting in line is common at security checkpoints when a traveler is taking extended time to empty their pockets or remove their shoes”

    If there is a huge gap at the X-ray machine and the person in front of me isn’t moving forward, I will 100% absolutely cut in front of them, throw my bags on the conveyor and walk through. Now…I may say something about how I’m precheck and don’t have to remove my shoes if asked what I’m doing, but I certainly wouldn’t mention “I’m first class” as that has nothing to do with security (at least once you’re past the ID check station).

    But at this point we don’t know if he actually said that, or if she just saw him in first class and decided to make this a class warfare/islamophobia thing. Based on the frequency with which she kept mentioning he was in “first class” I have some skepticism about who exactly is obsessed with their status here.

  7. jfhscott Reply
    November 16, 2020 at 4:59 pm

    This is what happens when one deprives a narcissist of her supply.

    • Louise Reply
      November 17, 2020 at 7:17 am

      Yes!

  8. Tennen Reply
    November 16, 2020 at 5:00 pm

    Out of curiosity, what’s the current situation with TSA Precheck? Are all the airports just merging the Pre vs. Non-Pre lanes? If so, are they using the body scanners or metal detectors?

    The lane merging seems like it could be the source of a lot of confusion, especially if Precheck pax still benefit from keeping shoes on and laptops/liquids in their bags, while others have to remove them.

    • lamphstravels Reply
      November 16, 2020 at 6:23 pm

      Can’t speak to TSA PreCheck at every airport. Pre-COVID and current times, I go through many smaller airports, think 2-6 gates, and PreCheck is efficiently combined into one line. It usually starts as two lines and PreCheck gets preference for ID check over a non-PreChecker. After that, I am fed into one line. Sometimes I am given a laminated card to show as I approach the metal detector; sometimes the agent just gets another agent’s attention and says ‘he’s PreCheck’. Anyhow, never a problem.

      And, I have many times gone ahead of someone that for whatever reason is moving more slowly. But, I am ask, and I’ve never been told ‘no’.

    • AR Reply
      November 16, 2020 at 7:14 pm

      At BWI, DEN, and MCI – as of 2 weeks ago – all had separate PreCheck lines.

      And note – the PreCheck line at DEN’s UA terminal was complete amateur hour. I’ve never seen so many people flagged for water bottles.

      • burritomiles Reply
        November 16, 2020 at 10:10 pm

        LOL I went thru PreCheck at OAK last month with a half full hydro flask. I told them they should take away my PreCheck(I was very embarrassed inside).

  9. cargocult Reply
    November 16, 2020 at 6:15 pm

    This is the sort of anti-American, anti-Israeli leftist grifter that mainstream publications and cultural institutions embrace. She went to the local news claiming she didn’t get served in turn at the post office because she was wearing a head covering. The anti-American left lifts up people like this because they fit the narrative of America being white supremacist and irredeemable evil. They should try living in almost any Arab country or Communist China and see how wonderful life free of white supremacy is there.

    https://www.pix11.com/2016/11/30/muslim-woman-says-she-was-denied-service-at-grand-central-terminal-post-office/
    https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/aug/25/muslimgirls-amani-al-khatahtbeh-we-decided-to-make-the-conversation-about-us
    https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/revlon-award-winner-has-history-of-anti-semitism

    • Louise Reply
      November 17, 2020 at 7:20 am

      Correct!

    • Andy K Reply
      November 17, 2020 at 12:27 pm

      Great find! What an attention-seeking wh*re.

  10. ChuckMO Reply
    November 16, 2020 at 10:34 pm

    Religion messes up EVERYTHING. Read a history book or twelve.

  11. AdibB Reply
    November 17, 2020 at 11:54 am

    I have a simple solution. Don’t wear a headscarf. There is nothing in the Koran or Hadith that says you have to wear one. Besides I cringe every time I see one.
    Incidentally I was born and raised in the Middle East but I have been a loyal U.S. citizen for the past sixty years.

    • Eman Reply
      November 20, 2020 at 3:06 pm

      Seeing a piece of fabric over a woman’s head makes you so uncomfortable? aww poor you.
      I have an simpler solution, mind your own business. If she chooses to wear a headscarf then she will wear the headscarf.

  12. TWA John Reply
    November 17, 2020 at 12:22 pm

    Certain ideologies are non congruent with our long established mores and values. Injecting them into society creates disharmony and ultimate destruction of our society. The body must reject this infection or die.

    • AdibB Reply
      November 17, 2020 at 1:02 pm

      Good mores and values are universal. This was always true until Saudi Arabia came along and started to spread their poison throughout the Islamic world using the oil money that we gave them.

  13. TWA John Reply
    November 17, 2020 at 4:18 pm

    Wwhen a book commands one to kill all non members, that is pretty clear to me I wouldn’t want any of that following to be allowed entry into our country. What does any American have to gain in destroying our society and sending it back to the 4th century? People and cultures of hate are not welcome. We have enough problems.

  14. Mak Reply
    November 17, 2020 at 4:40 pm

    If anybody harbors any doubts about this, watch the video. A racist nutcase complete with paranoid delusions and a persecution complex. In her world, everybody is reduced to the color of their skin. I don’t see what this has to do with her being a muslim. She’s just appears to be a plainly insane person.

  15. emercycrite Reply
    November 17, 2020 at 5:01 pm

    “As an aside, cutting in line is common at security checkpoints when a traveler is taking extended time to empty their pockets or remove their shoes.”

    I never knew this. Is this an American thing? I’m not sure this is the norm in other countries.

    • AdibB Reply
      November 17, 2020 at 7:08 pm

      I have PreCheck and I have never done that or seen anyone else do it unless invited to do so by the passenger ahead or a TSA agent.

    • UA-NYC Reply
      November 17, 2020 at 8:38 pm

      Some idiots at EWR have refused to go up to the 4x occupancy high-volume lanes unless waved to by TSA. I have skipped by them a few times.

  16. Kay Spiegel Reply
    November 18, 2020 at 4:24 pm

    Stop with everyone being Something-American. If you are living in the USA you are AMERICAN. I don’t refer to myself as Euro-American. I am an American and proud of it.

  17. BDAGuy Reply
    November 18, 2020 at 11:03 pm

    How about this: regardless of the entitled gent – who may or may not have been a jerk, we only have her version of events- no one has the right to turn on a camera and film/record/transmit without permission. Period. Just from that action it appears to be a set-up or entrapment by the young woman, regardless of her faith, clothing, whatever. When someone is that quick to begin recording motives become highly suspect and are a violation of another’s right to privacy.

  18. Takeshi Nomura Reply
    November 19, 2020 at 8:45 am

    If I am enforcing a policy, I would explain the reason of my action. Therefore, I would say “you are being removed because you recorded a passenger in the plane. Which is not much considering the huge amount of videos taken on boras without such a fuzz.
    But, then again, the staff says that they are removing her because the asshole feels uncomfortable?!!

  19. Zeusa Smith Reply
    November 23, 2020 at 12:40 am

    The fact that Islamophobes in your comments are really identifying with your post is telling.

  20. Kerry Hurwitz Reply
    November 23, 2020 at 8:40 am

    Matt, Why are you repeating the false, anti-semitic trope that Israel “(still) harvests the organs” of Arab prisoners? If you have any sense of reality you know that’s not true, so why are you repeating it as if it is? Please revise your wording to make it accurate so that you are not repeating the anti-semitic lies of its subject.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      November 23, 2020 at 9:03 am

      That’s what she is alleging, not me. Did you actually read what I wrote?

  21. N/A Reply
    November 24, 2020 at 10:36 am

    Yall are mostly disrespectful racist biased islamophobic people.

  22. Max Reply
    November 25, 2020 at 6:50 am

    Thank you for trying to clarify things. I’m curious about the incident too. However, the article doesn’t provide new facts. Instead, it’s suppositions about what you think may have happened and what you speculate she was thinking.

    Obviously, there’s occasionally rude behavior at airports, and even when there’s not, people can take offense at someone else’s behavior. Ejecting someone simply because one person complains seems outrageous, Hopefully, American Airlines will clarify the basis for rejecting her.

  23. YourSadUneducatedMother Reply
    December 16, 2020 at 12:44 pm

    This entire comment thread is disgusting, Islamophobic and I’m sure everyone behind these comments supporting each other with their prejudice towards Islam and fascist ideologies and bizarre defence for Israel says a lot. Louise you’re literally the cringiest Karen, like projectile-vomit-cringe. You old people are so gross and entitled.. your cultural and religious history probably has disturbing, violent, aggressive and forceful acts throughout its existence up until today but you guys are so f*cking entitled and narcissistic that you legit have the most to say about everyone else who’s ideology you want nothing to do with. Get the f*** out of here.. hypocrites.

  24. Bruce Bartman Reply
    May 31, 2021 at 7:39 pm

    I live in S. E. Asia, so all my flights are Trans-Pacific. When I do arrive in America, I head to the Amtrak Station for my pre-booked train travel to my final destination. I just don’t want to be bothered with TSA check in lines and all the BS in American Airports. All us carriers can’t compare to Asian Carriers or Emirates actually. I will book a room on Amtrak and enjoy the beauty of the Country at ground level. Try it, you might like it!

  25. Alessio Reply
    July 17, 2021 at 12:32 pm

    You islamophobes are Morons. The girl is a brat but she is an American. She is a Karen who happens to be Muslim. Many Americans are Muslims not all Muslims are foreigners. American Airlines is not a discriminatory company to anyone in fact it encourages coexistence and provides prayer rooms for its Muslim employees along with prayer mats, and this is a beautiful thing. American Airlines realizes that Americans belong to all faiths (and non faiths) including Islam unlike some morons here.

  26. Sanath Iyer Reply
    May 8, 2023 at 9:06 am

    This is normal muslim behavior in India. As a Hindu, I have been observing similar type of muslim behavior everywhere around me since childhood. It is just new to Americans. First muslims create problems for others. When we respond, then they cry and play victim card. They only reveal half truths. They will only reveal how they were mistreated. They would never reveal what prompted the other guy to mistreat them.

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