Overview
- The complaint was filed December 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California by Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight on behalf of 18 former cadets seeking $36 million.
- American Airlines, Coast Flight Training and American Airlines Federal Credit Union are accused of deceptively marketing a 12‑month, all‑inclusive pilot‑training pipeline that led students to take large loans.
- Plaintiffs allege the program delivered far less flight time, scarce aircraft and mentors, extended timelines and higher costs, with none of the 18 finishing within the advertised time and budget.
- The suit claims non‑white candidates were targeted for recruitment and then treated worse than white peers, including harsher grading, fewer training opportunities and racially derogatory remarks.
- The filing asserts violations of state and federal consumer‑protection, civil‑rights and credit laws, including RICO and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act; American disputes the claims and Coast did not respond to a request for comment.