A civil rights lawsuit has been filed against United Airlines, Inc. and Republic Airways Inc., alleging discrimination.
The lawsuit stems from an incident during a February 23, 2025, flight from Newark to Pittsburgh. According to the complaint, the plaintiff, Chana Fishbein, alleges that airline staff refused her request for an additional seat for her infant child, despite the presence of available seats. Fishbein contends that the denial was motivated by discrimination against Orthodox Jews.
The complaint states that Fishbein asked a gate agent for an empty seat so her child could remain in a stroller during the flight. Despite seeing unoccupied seats, she claims the request was denied by both ticket agents and flight attendants. Fishbein also alleges that she was not offered water during beverage service, which she attributes to religious bias.
The lawsuit invokes federal statutes, including 42 U.S.C. §1981 and §2000(d), which prohibit discrimination and ensure equal rights under the law. Fishbein seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Adam J. Fishbein of Woodmere, New York. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under Case ID 2:25-cv-03837.