Rabbi and wife sue JetBlue over alleged antisemitism on New Year’s Eve flight

On New Year's Eve 2023, Rabbi Abraham Lunger, his wife Miriam, and their companion Brucha Ungar were scheduled to fly from Palm Springs, California, to New York. The rabbi requested a seat change to comply with his Orthodox Jewish beliefs, which prohibit him from sitting next to a woman who is not a relative. Despite other passengers offering to switch seats, a flight attendant responded negatively, insisting he return to his original seat. The situation escalated when the pilot informed the rabbi and his companions that they had to leave the plane, citing crew safety concerns. The plaintiffs, identifiable as Orthodox Jews, were the only ones removed from the flight, despite other passengers switching seats without consequence. After being de-boarded, they were denied accommodations, food, and access to their luggage. The following day, JetBlue claimed the plaintiffs had missed their flight, contradicting their account of events. The rabbi and his wife subsequently filed a lawsuit against JetBlue in the Southern District of New York, alleging antisemitism and mistreatment by the airline's crew. JetBlue responded by stating their commitment to serving diverse customers and refrained from further comments due to the ongoing litigation. This incident raises significant concerns about discrimination and the treatment of individuals based on their religious beliefs in public spaces, particularly in the airline industry.