With the war in Gaza entering into its eighth month, its impacts have invariably also seeped into the airline industry.
Airlines such as United (UAL) and Delta (DAL) are just now very cautiously resuming flights to Tel Aviv after calling off all service to Israel and the nearby areas after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, while airlines are still navigating what kinds of political displays on behalf of employees they will and will not allow.
Related: This is the first U.S. airline that will soon resume flying to Tel Aviv
On April 28, 54-year-old Florida resident Paul Faust was accused of "causing a disturbance" after spotting a "Free Palestine" pin on a flight attendant serving the cabin on a flight between Fort Lauderdale and Las Vegas and started repeatedly asking why they were wearing it.
Passenger with canceled ticket accuses JetBlue of 'blatant antisemitism'
As Faust described to the Daily Mail, he was met by police officers upon landing in Las Vegas and had his return booking canceled as the police investigated the incident. The situation caused outrage from both Faust and Israel supporters who accused JetBlue of "blatant antisemitism" over how it handled the incident.
More on travel:
- Another National Park just made it more difficult for you to visit
- Delta Air Lines makes a baggage change that travelers will like
- United Airlines passenger incident triggers quick response
After the story started getting picked up by press, JetBlue announced that it has changed its policy to ban air crew from wearing overt displays of political positions.
Related: United Airlines slumps as fuel costs, Israel flight suspension mutes profit outlook
'The aircraft is not the right place to advocate positions'
"We have changed our uniform policy to make clear that on board the aircraft is not the right place for crew members to advocate positions on certain issues or political topics," JetBlue spokesperson Derek Dombrowski told the Jewish Daily Forward.
The change has been in effect since May 3 and affects everything from support of a given political candidate to anti-war and protest pins. The airline had previously allowed flight attendants and other members of the air crew to wear two pins, one of the company logo issued by JetBlue and one of their choosing so long as it was not overtly crude or offensive.
In a video that he posted on social media after the incident, Faust said the flight attendant was also wearing a Black Lives Matter pin but moved the "Free Palestine" one to be more visible when approaching him during drinks service.
"I said, 'I don't want there to be an issue,'" Faust says he said after finding the lead flight attendant. "Maybe speak with her after we leave the plane. Just talk about how it was maybe a little insensitive. It made me feel a little uncomfortable."
According to Dombrowski, the airline was already looking to rework its policy on political statements but "urgently expedited this change" due to the growing scandal and the fact that tensions are running high due to the situation in Gaza and the fact that the federal election is coming up. The airline says it reached out to the Transport Workers Union representing its flight attendants and worked out a policy together to avoid such incidents from occurring again in the future.
While initially saying Faust was the one causing the disturbance, the airline now says they "are taking this matter very seriously and conducting a full investigation into our crew members' actions."
Related: Veteran fund manager picks favorite stocks for 2024
