SEASON 1 EPISODE 1: SURVIVING LUFTHANSA

This case highlights ongoing concerns about passenger rights, particularly in cases involving mistreatment or racial discrimination, and sets a precedent for holding airlines accountable.
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The case involves George Sam-Korsah also known as G-NO, a Ghanaian Netherland entrepreneur, who filed a lawsuit against Lufthansa Airlines for mistreatment/ racial abuse during a flight in January 2021. After years of legal proceedings, Sam-Korsah won the case, and the court ordered Lufthansa to pay €xxxxx in principal, along with covering legal costs totaling €xxxxx in court fees and €xxxxx in necessary costs including refund of already paid baggage. Lufthansa was also ordered to compensate the costs related to the legal processes involving other airlines, Brussels Airlines and Air Dolomiti. All 3 Airlines make up the Lufthansa Group of Airline conglomerate.
The incident began when Sam-Korsah, who had booked flights through Lufthansa and other airlines, was refused boarding for his Lufthansa flight at Malpensa Airport in Italy. Despite having a confirmed reservation, he was told his details weren’t in the system. After several frustrating exchanges with airline staff, including being threatened with police intervention, police interrogation and paying an external company for assistance, Sam-Korsah was eventually allowed to board. He was racially targeted and humiliated throughout the ordeal, citing discriminatory behavior from the staff and being monitored during the flight.
Sam-Korsah filed a complaint with Lufthansa, but the airline’s slow response led him to take the case to arbitration, where Lufthansa initially attempted to block the process by claiming it was a business trip. However, Sam-Korsah provided evidence to counter this claim, ultimately leading to the favorable court ruling.