By Emeka Blast 
Family Removed from American Airline Flight Over Body Odor Complaints
American Airlines has once again faced backlash after removing a family from a flight at Miami International Airport on Monday, July 21, 2025, following complaints from fellow passengers about alleged body odor. The family, consisting of David Cohen, his wife Rachel, and their two children, aged 4 and 7, was escorted off a Detroit-bound flight after what the airline described as “multiple passenger complaints” regarding their odor. The incident, which echoes a similar 2019 case, has reignited debates over airline policies and potential discrimination.
According to eyewitness accounts shared on X, the Cohens were asked to deplane shortly after boarding, with airline staff citing concerns raised by other passengers and crew members. David Cohen, a 38-year-old software engineer, told reporters at the airport, “We were humiliated. They wouldn’t even tell us who complained or if it was all of us. We shower daily—there’s no issue here.” Rachel Cohen added, “It’s embarrassing to be singled out like this in front of everyone. We just wanted to get home.”
American Airlines issued a statement: “The Cohen family was removed from the flight after several passengers and crew members reported concerns about body odor, out of respect for the comfort of all onboard. They were provided hotel accommodations, meal vouchers, and rebooked on a flight the following morning.” The family returned to Detroit on July 22, but their luggage remained on the original flight, leaving them without essentials overnight.
The incident has drawn comparisons to a 2019 case where the Adler family, who are Orthodox Jewish, was removed from a similar Miami-to-Detroit flight for alleged body odor, later suing American Airlines for religious discrimination. Social media erupted with speculation, with posts like @TravelTruths on X stating, “American Airlines at it again with the body odor excuse? Sounds like a pattern. #AirlineFail,” while @FlyerRights questioned, “Is this really about odor or something else? #DiscriminationWatch.” The hashtag #AmericanAirlinesOdor trended briefly, reflecting public skepticism.
American Airlines’ contract of carriage allows removal of passengers with “offensive odor not caused by disability or illness,” but a 2024 policy update, prompted by a lawsuit from eight Black passengers removed for similar reasons, restricts such actions to safety or security concerns unless multiple passenger complaints are verified. Critics argue the policy remains vague, risking misuse. The NAACP, which issued a travel advisory against American in 2017, is reportedly monitoring the situation.
