Airline under fire after attendant wears keffiyeh on flight full of Jewish passengers

Jewish passengers reported feeling unsafe.

By Eitan Devir, Jewish Breaking News

American Airlines is facing mounting backlash after a flight attendant was photographed wearing a keffiyeh over his uniform during a domestic flight, prompting angry reactions from passengers and sparking a wave of outrage on social media.

The incident took place aboard American Airlines Flight 2692 from LaGuardia Airport in New York to Miami on January 29, 2026.

According to multiple passenger accounts, the flight attendant, identified as Miguel, wore the keffiyeh throughout the flight while actively working the cabin.

Passengers say the choice was especially disturbing given the nature of the route. The LaGuardia to Miami flight is known to regularly carry a large number of Jewish retirees, including elderly passengers traveling to South Florida for extended stays.

Several travelers said this made the display feel particularly targeted rather than incidental.

“This isn’t a random red eye to nowhere,” one passenger wrote online. “This route is packed with Jewish seniors. People were visibly uncomfortable and scared, especially older passengers who didn’t feel they could speak up.”

American Airlines’ uniform rules, governed by its Lands’ End contract and internal standards, prohibit unauthorized items and political symbols.

The policy is intended to ensure neutrality so that every passenger feels safe, respected, and equally served.

Critics argue the keffiyeh is not a neutral accessory but a political symbol widely associated with extremist movements and anti-Israel activism.

Jewish passengers said that in the confined space of an aircraft, the symbolism carried a different weight.

“You’re trapped in the air, and the person serving you is wearing something many associate with violence against Jews and airline terror,” one traveler said. “That’s not something you can just ignore.”

Reaction on social media was swift and emotional, with users describing fear, anger, and disbelief that the airline allowed the situation to happen.

“I would have been terrified,” one post read. “Especially if I were an older Jewish passenger alone on that flight.”

Another wrote, “Would American Airlines allow a flight attendant to wear a swastika patch or KKK imagery? Of course not. So why is this acceptable?”

Several users said they were canceling future bookings with the airline until clearer enforcement of neutrality policies is announced. Others called for Miguel to be suspended pending a formal investigation.

Critics stressed that this is not a free speech issue. Airline employees, while in uniform, represent the company and are expected to maintain strict neutrality to avoid intimidating or alienating passengers.

“Passengers don’t get to walk away,” one viral post stated. “They’re stuck in a metal tube at 30,000 feet and rely on the crew for their safety.”

As of publication, American Airlines has not issued a public response addressing the incident, confirming the identity of the crew member, or explaining whether disciplinary action has been taken.

For many passengers, particularly Jewish retirees who regularly fly this route, the incident has raised serious concerns about consistency, professionalism, and whether airline neutrality policies are being enforced equally.