United Airlines Faces Explosive Lawsuit Over Antisemitic Discrimination on Newark-to-Tel Aviv Flight

By: Fern Sidman

A group of nearly 60 passengers has filed a bombshell lawsuit against United Airlines, accusing the airline of antisemitic discrimination after a Newark-to-Tel Aviv flight was abruptly turned around mid-air. According to a report that appeared in The New York Post on Sunday, the suit claims that United crew members acted with prejudice against a plane full of “visibly Jewish” passengers, many of whom were en route to Israel to observe Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut.

The incident occurred on April 22, 2023, when United Flight 90 departed from Newark Liberty International Airport, bound for Tel Aviv. Approximately three hours into the transatlantic journey, the flight turned back toward New Jersey under what United Airlines described as a “safety and security concern.” But as The New York Post reported, plaintiffs say the stated reason was unjustified and rooted in discriminatory bias.

The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, centers on a seemingly minor incident in which one passenger briefly sat in a flight attendant’s seat while waiting to use the restroom. Rather than treating the matter as an isolated incident, the crew allegedly treated the situation as a collective threat and blamed “all the rest of the passengers,” the suit states. The plaintiffs argue that the decision to return the aircraft to Newark was based not on security protocols, but on the fact that a significant number of the passengers were Jewish.

“The crew was ill-trained and acted with clear prejudice,” the lawsuit claims, as quoted by The New York Post. The passengers—many of whom wore religious attire or other visible signs of their Jewish identity—believe they were targeted and penalized as a group, simply because of their faith and appearance.

The consequences didn’t end with the forced return. The New York Post report noted that once the plane landed back in Newark, passengers were left stranded with no assistance in securing alternate travel to Israel. One plaintiff recounted being told by a flight attendant to “go ask your own kind” when seeking help rebooking a ticket—a remark that the lawsuit cites as a flagrant example of antisemitic harassment.

Attorney Yoram Nachimovsky, who is representing the group of plaintiffs, said the suit is seeking not only damages but systemic changes at United Airlines. “We want to see sensitivity training,” Nachimovsky told The New York Post. “If one person is acting bad it doesn’t mean everyone around them is responsible.”

United Airlines has forcefully denied the allegations. In a public statement cited by The New York Post, the airline said, “We have reviewed the incident, and the plaintiffs’ claims are meritless.” The airline further stated, “One passenger who was a safety and security risk caused the flight to return to Newark. Our crew put safety first and exhibited professionalism in managing this matter, and we will vigorously defend against these false allegations.”

Still, the plaintiffs maintain that the airline’s actions amount to collective punishment based on religion and ethnicity, a violation of their civil rights and dignity. Legal experts speaking to The New York Post note that the outcome of the case may depend on proving that the airline’s response was out of proportion to the actual incident, and whether it was motivated by religious or ethnic bias rather than legitimate safety concerns.

The timing of the flight—coinciding with two of Israel’s most solemn and celebratory national holidays—adds a layer of emotional weight for the passengers. Many were reportedly flying home to be with family, attend memorial services, or participate in Independence Day events. The lawsuit asserts that the disruption caused not only logistical headaches but deep psychological and spiritual harm.

As The New York Post report indicated, the case calls attention to the growing concerns within the Jewish community about antisemitism in public spaces—including within the travel industry. If the allegations are substantiated in court, it could mark a landmark case in the fight for religious equality and accountability in airline conduct.

For now, United Airlines finds itself at the center of a high-profile legal and public relations storm—one with far-reaching implications for corporate responsibility, civil liberties, and the treatment of Jewish travelers worldwide.