A United Airlines pilot was accused of forcibly removing an Orthodox Jewish passenger from a plane bathroom while he was experiencing constipation, exposing his genitalia to other flyers.
Yisroel Liebb, from New Jersey, filed a federal lawsuit against the airline and the US Department of Homeland Security after being detained and humiliated by Customs and Border Protection officers upon landing in Houston. The incident occurred on January 28 during a flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston.
According to the lawsuit, Liebb was in the bathroom for about 20 minutes when a flight attendant asked his fellow passenger Jacob Sebbag to check on him. The pilot then approached Sebbag and demanded that he check on Liebb again, despite knowing he was still indisposed.
The pilot allegedly forced open the bathroom door, pulling Liebb out with his pants down, exposing him to other passengers. The men were then escorted off the plane by Customs and Border Protection officers who made derogatory comments about their faith.
The lawsuit claims that the airline and government officials made discriminatory remarks towards the two men, violating their civil rights. United Airlines declined to comment on the incident, citing ongoing litigation.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/24/travel/united-lawsuit-passenger-removed-plane-bathroom/index.html