American Airlines Retracts Blame on 9-Year-Old for Lavatory Recording Incident

American Airlines has backtracked on its initial stance that a 9-year-old girl was at fault for being recorded by a flight attendant in an airplane lavatory. This statement followed a legal filing on May 21 where the airline controversially claimed the child's actions contributed to the incident.

The airline's filing suggested that the young girl was recorded through her own "fault and negligence," implying she should have been aware of the recording device in the lavatory. This defense, however, has sparked widespread outrage.

Paul Llewellyn, the attorney representing the girl and another victim, expressed his shock and anger at the airline's initial position. He stated that it is inconceivable to blame a child for such an invasion of privacy, highlighting the absurdity of the defense.

American Airlines quickly issued a correction, acknowledging the mistake made by their outside legal counsel. A spokesperson for the airline emphasized that the defense was not representative of the company's values and confirmed that steps were taken to amend the filing. The spokesperson reiterated that American Airlines does not believe the child was at fault and that the airline is taking the allegations against the former employee seriously.

The incident has had a profound impact on the victims, as the recorded images have not been recovered. Llewellyn pointed out the ongoing distress caused by the uncertainty surrounding the distribution of these images, stressing the long-term emotional toll on the young girls involved.

This situation underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability in protecting the privacy and safety of passengers, particularly minors. American Airlines' prompt correction and commitment to addressing the issue reflect the serious nature of such violations and the need for stringent measures to prevent them.