A Black American Airlines passenger traveling first class says the inflight meal suddenly ran out when it was her turn to be served.
In a viral video, TikToker Johbidoo (@johbidoo_official) films her tray table as an on-screen caption reads, “When u the only black person in first class and the food apparently ran out…. Well thank u American Airlines.”
In the video’s description she writes, “MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!”
‘I can GUARANTEE they did not run out of food’
In the comments section, viewers said the customer should report the issue to American Airlines’ corporate office.
User Jasmine Alexis wrote, “I work a service like this for another airline and I can GUARANTEE they did not run out of food. Report it!!!
Another viewer said, “Oh honey… it doesn’t work like that. Report it to corporate. ASAP include dates times flight #, and be very specific. Dont let them offer you miles as compensation either! Dead wrong!”
“It should never run out and I’m an [flight attendant]..call corporate and write a letter on the crew,” user Rickeywthagoodhair added.
Some viewers said they had a similar experience.
“Girl it happen to me I crash out and suddenly food was found and a complaint was filed,” user Marie Louise said.
“This literally happened to my black boyfriend on American Airlines too – 3 years ago,” user Liv said. “I’ll never forget the scene I caused and guess what? They ended up bringing food!!!!!!! Shameful sorry this happened to you.”
Others said American Airlines has a history of racism.
“American Airlines is very very racist,” one viewer wrote.
“American Airlines way too racist for my money,” a second said.
A third wrote, “Every time I see racist airline experience video it’s always on American Airlines.”
Does American Airlines actually have a history of discrimination toward Black customers?
In 2017, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) issued a travel advisory against American Airlines following “reports of hostility toward Black passengers.” It removed the travel advisory in 2018.
“The removal of our travel advisory in 2018 came as a result of a commitment to deliver on key stipulations that would prevent future discriminatory acts, one of which was a diversity, equity, and inclusion advisory council. Amidst the resurgence of attacks on DEI, American Airlines disbanded the panel in 2023,” it states.
The NAACP released a press statement in 2024 after a lawsuit filed against American Airlines by several Black men led to additional reports of discriminatory behavior by the airline, which conveyed “a troubling pattern of a failure to address harmful behaviors.”
“Recent discriminatory actions from company employees prove that there is a dire need for continued accountability and resolution to this clear pattern,” it states. “We encourage American Airlines to come revive the advisory panel and reconvene with the NAACP to devise a path forward that ensures equitable experiences for all American Airlines customers. Without a swift and decisive response, the NAACP will be forced to reinstate an advisory against the airline.”
@johbidoo_official MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!
♬ original sound – Lyrics Galore ☆
A personal experience with American Airlines
As a Black American Airlines passenger myself, I have certainly felt discriminated against. I recall a circumstance in which there was supposedly no more overhead bin space and the gate agent said bags would need to be checked. I was seated in the front row waiting to board and an agent asked me and another woman, the only Black passengers in the row, to check our bags. She said nothing to the white passengers. I stayed put and when I boarded, wouldn’t you know, there was room for my bag in the overhead bin.
The Mary Sue reached out to Johbidoo via TikTok direct message and comment. It reached out to American Airlines via press email.
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