Atlanta: Delta Airlines says it's looking into allegations of discrimination after YouTube personality Adam Saleh posted a video saying he and a friend were removed from a flight departing from London's Heathrow airport because they "spoke a different language."
Saleh and his friend, Slim Albaher, another YouTube personality have since created a seven minute video explaining the incident.
Saleh claims a phone conversation with his mother, followed by a conversation with Albaher — both in Arabic — prompted the incident.
Saleh alleges that a woman four seats in front of him turned to them and said, "Can you please speak English? I feel really uncomfortable."
The statement was directed to Albaher, but he felt “paralysed”, prompting his friend, Saleh, speak up on his behalf. Saleh also claims a man stood up and said, "Chuck them off the [expletive] plane."
“You guys are racists. I spoke a different language and you say you feel uncomfortable. I can’t believe my eyes. We spoke a different language and now there are six white people against us bearded men,” said Saleh in the original video, which was retweeted more than 700 thousand times.
Saleh, who is known for his comic YouTube videos, told The New York Times that the incident was not a stunt.
Delta said it was "gathering all of the facts before jumping to any conclusion."
The airlines' made a statement on Wednesday after the video was posted on Twitter.
In the statement, Delta claimed that two customers were removed from the plane after “more than 20 customers” complained. They later posted an updated statement.
“Based on the information collected to date, it appears the customers who were removed sought to disrupt the cabin with provocative behaviour, including shouting. This type of conduct is not welcome on any Delta flight,” it read.
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