A Louisiana family has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines, claiming that they were unfairly targeted due to a member’s disability during what was meant to be a “once-in-a-lifetime” trip to Disney World. The Stewart family, consisting of Coby and Emily along with their four children, alleges that the airline’s actions led to significant emotional distress and anxiety, compensations they are seeking to the tune of over $50,000.
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The Stewarts purchased their tickets for $5,187.58 for a flight from Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Orlando, Florida. On March 1, 2025, the family arrived at Lake Charles Regional Airport almost two hours prior to their scheduled departure, aiming to check in early. At the American Airlines ticket counter, Coby, a former member of the U.S. military, informed the ticket agent of his background, while Emily disclosed that she is deaf and communicates primarily using American Sign Language (ASL).
According to the complaint, the ticket agent quickly informed the Stewarts that their flight was “oversold” right after learning about Emily’s disability and Coby’s military status, despite assertions that other passengers had yet to check in. The family claims that the agent proceeded to state that one individual from their party would have to be removed from the flight, eventually singling out their four-year-old son, Archer.
The parents contend that separation was not feasible due to Emily’s reliance on Coby for assistance in caring for their children throughout the flight. However, they allege that the ticket agent refused to consider their circumstances or provide any accommodations for Emily’s needs. In a bid to resolve the situation and keep their family together, Coby voluntarily opted to forgo his flight, hoping to catch a different connection from Jack Brooks Regional Airport in Texas.
While awaiting his new flight, Coby was issued a $1,200 voucher by the ticketing agent, who assured him that he would be able to reunite with his family during a layover at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. However, during his transit to the new airport, Coby received a phone call from the same agent, who announced that the Lake Charles flight had not been oversold after all and rescinded the voucher.
The family’s complaint outlines the various inconveniences caused by American Airlines’ actions, including additional travel expenses, lost compensation for less desirable seating, and emotional turmoil. They have stated that the situation led to “fear, anxiety, and stress,” leading them to cite intentional infliction of emotional distress as a pivotal part of their claim.
Furthermore, the Stewarts argue that American Airlines breached the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by allegedly targeting them due to Emily’s needs and their circumstances as a family travelling with young children. The complaint highlights that the ticket agent implied they were the only passengers removed from the oversold flight after discovering Emily’s disability.
Despite the distressing experience, attorney Christopher Ieyoub, representing the Stewart family, confirmed to The Independent that they ultimately reunited after the ordeal. Although Coby could not meet his family in Dallas, he managed to arrive at Disney World later that night, in a frazzled state, while the rest of the family had reached the destination earlier.
As the family continues their pursuit of justice and compensation, they say that the events not only disrupted their holiday plans but also instilled lasting emotional distress. The lawsuit aims to draw attention to the broader issues surrounding treatment of passengers with disabilities, particularly in the airline industry.
American Airlines, as well as Skywest Airlines, has been approached for comments regarding the lawsuit, but as of yet, there has been no immediate response. The outcome of this case could have implications beyond the Stewart family, highlighting critical issues regarding accessibility and the rights of passengers with disabilities within airline policies.