Alleged incident on flight from Mexico sparks legal action
A New Jersey man has filed a federal lawsuit against United Airlines, claiming that a pilot forcibly removed him from an airplane restroom and subjected him to an antisemitic tirade. The incident occurred aboard a United Airlines flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston, Texas, on January 28, when the passenger, 20-year-old Yisroel Liebb, was using the lavatory for an extended period.
Confrontation in the lavatory
According to the lawsuit, Liebb, an Orthodox Jew, was experiencing constipation and remained in the airplane restroom for approximately 20 minutes. A flight attendant asked his seatmate, Jacob Sebbag, to check on him, to which Liebb responded that he was fine and would be out soon. However, after another 10 minutes, the pilot personally intervened, allegedly yelling at Liebb and demanding he exit immediately.
When Liebb insisted he needed more time, the pilot reportedly became enraged, broke the lock, and forcibly removed him from the restroom with his pants still around his ankles, exposing him to other passengers and flight attendants. The lawsuit claims Liebb suffered physical injuries during the removal, hitting his head and legs against the door frame.
Allegations of antisemitic remarks and wrongful detention
Following the incident, the pilot allegedly pushed Liebb and Sebbag back to their seats while making disparaging comments about their Jewish faith. Upon arrival in Houston, several U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers boarded the plane, instructed passengers to remain seated, and proceeded to arrest Liebb and Sebbag without explanation.
The lawsuit alleges that CBP officers told Liebb, “You have no rights here,” before tightly handcuffing and detaining him in a holding facility inside the airport. Both men claim they were subjected to intrusive searches and held in separate cells without being informed of any charges. After several hours, they were released without any formal accusations but missed their connecting flight to New York. While United Airlines rebooked them for free on a flight the following day, they incurred additional expenses for accommodations and food.
Legal claims and demand for damages
Liebb and Sebbag claim they experienced extreme emotional distress, embarrassment, and lasting wrist pain from the tight handcuffs. The lawsuit argues that the United pilot escalated the situation due to religious bias and seeks damages for physical and emotional suffering, legal fees, and additional costs incurred due to the delay.
United Airlines has not commented on the lawsuit, while CBP acknowledged the request for a statement but has yet to respond. The case continues to draw attention, raising concerns over passenger treatment and potential violations of civil rights.