United Airlines was threatened with a boycott over the weekend after a Muslim chaplain employed at Northwestern University claimed she was the victim of discrimination.
The Daily Mail reported that Tahera Ahmad, a 31-year-old moderate Muslim who has previously participated in interfaith and women's events at The White House, wrote a Facebook post about the treatment she claims to have received on a Friday night flight.
The flight was operated by Shuttle America, a partner of United Airlines.
In her post, Ahmad wrote that she asked for a can of Diet Coke. When the flight attendant brought her a can that was open, Ahmad asked her for one that was unopened "due to hygienic reasons." The flight attendant said that no one had drank from it.
Ahmad said that the flight attendant then brought an unopened can of beer for the man next to her. Ahmad asked why he got an unopened can, and the flight attendant allegedly told her they couldn't serve unopened cans, as they could be used as weapons. She then opened the beer can on the man's table.
Ahmad then claimed that a passenger across the aisle said that she should shut up and accused her of having intentions of using it as a weapon.
Her post soon went viral, begat the hashtag #UnitedForTahera, and some threatened to boycott.
The airlines soon responded.
"We provide full beverage cans upon request, assuming there is enough for service to be completed," a Shuttle America spokesperson said on Saturday.
"The flight attendant onboard Shuttle America flight 3504 attempted several times to accommodate Ms Ahmad’s beverage request after a misunderstanding regarding a can of diet soda," a United spokesperson also said Saturday.
"The inflight crew met with Ms Ahmad after the flight arrived in Washington to provide assistance and further discuss the matter. Additionally, we spoke with Ms Ahmad this afternoon to get a better understanding of what occurred and to apologize for not delivering the service our customers expect when traveling with us."
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