Overview of the Lawsuit Against Southwest Airlines
A new lawsuit has been filed against Southwest Airlines by the American Alliance for Equal Rights, challenging the airline’s ¡Lánzate! Travel Award Program for Hispanic students.
Key Points of the Lawsuit
- The lawsuit contends that the program is racially discriminatory and violates federal civil rights laws.
- The program, established in 2004, offers free round-trip flights to Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students.
- The American Alliance for Equal Rights claims that non-Hispanic students are unfairly excluded from eligibility.
- The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Dallas, seeking an injunction against Southwest’s eligibility criteria.
Details of the ¡Lánzate! Travel Award Program
The program, created in partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, provides eligible Hispanic students with four round-trip tickets annually. To qualify, students must reside at least 200 miles from their home and be of Hispanic heritage.
Legal Allegations and Claims
- The lawsuit alleges violations of Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- Southwest Airlines’ acceptance of federal funds during the COVID-19 pandemic is cited as a basis for the claims of discrimination.
Southwest Airlines, headquartered in Dallas, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
Background on the Plaintiff
The American Alliance for Equal Rights is led by anti-affirmative action advocate Edward Blum, who has a history of challenging corporate diversity programs in legal actions.
This lawsuit marks the latest effort by Blum’s organization to address issues of racial discrimination in various contexts, following previous successes in influencing legal decisions related to diversity and inclusion.
