Peter and Dr. Mary Jane Williams claim they were subjected to "discriminatory and outrageous conduct" by the airline and "unlawful detention" by airport police
Credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- A couple claims they were denied boarding on an American Airlines flight after a dispute over the size of a carry-on bag
- Peter and Dr. Mary Jane Williams say the April 2024 incident subjected them to “discriminatory and outrageous conduct” by the airline and “unlawful detention” by Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport police, per complaints
A dispute over carry-on luggage allegedly escalated after police were called on a customer at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
American Airlines passengers Peter and Dr. Mary Jane Williams filed two separate civil complaints, obtained by PEOPLE, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on April 8. One complaint names American Airlines as the defendant while the other names the airport, its department of public safety, and four responding officers.
The lawsuits stem from an incident that allegedly occurred on April 14, 2024, when the couple was traveling from Evansville, Ind., to Phoenix with a layover in Texas.
Credit: Kevin Carter/Getty
The couple claims they had valid tickets and boarding passes for all segments of their trip. During the first leg, Mary Jane says she boarded the aircraft with all of her luggage as carry-on baggage without incident — though it is not specified how much luggage she brought with her.
However, at the gate in Dallas, an airline employee allegedly denied Mary Jane's boarding because one of her bags was “too big” to be a carry-on, per the complaint.
“Rather than resolving the customer service dispute through normal airline procedures, American Airlines personnel summoned DFW Airport Police to the gate and jetway,” the complaint alleges.
The couple further claims the American employees then made “false or misleading statements” to law enforcement to justify having called them.
In the couple's complaint against DFW, they claim Peter explained to the responding officers that he needed to fly home to Phoenix to get home to his family. Despite his compliance, officers reportedly "became agitated with Dr. Williams and escorted her off the jetway."
While attempting to walk back to the aircraft, Peter "was violently thrown to the ground, restrained with a knee to his back" and "subjected to a taser deployment," per the complaint. They argue the taser deployment was unnecessary, as evidenced by a fellow officer reportedly stating, "No, No, it's good, we got this."
According to the couple's civil complaints, Peter sustained “physical injuries to his head, chest, abdomen, groin and body.”
Peter was later arrested and charged with criminal offenses in Tarrant County, per the complaints. However, the couple claims the charges were ultimately dismissed.
The complaint against American claims the airline "purported to conduct an ‘investigation' ” of the incident, but instead "permanently banned” the couple from future flights. “This ban was retaliatory and demonstrates American Airlines' bad faith, malice, and continued willful misconduct,” the complaint says.
The couple is accusing American Airlines of eight separate counts, including negligence, negligent training and defamation. They demand a trial by jury and are seeking damages for all past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reputational harm and other damages in an amount to be determined in court.
Against the airport and its officers, the couple accuses them of excessive force, false arrest and unlawful seizure and assault.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Williamses' attorney for comment. A representative for American tells PEOPLE they are "reviewing the complaint" and had nothing additional to share. A spokesperson for the DFW airport did not offer comment, citing pending litigation.
Read the full article here
