A video posted on social media showing an American Airlines flight attendant wearing a Palestinian flag pin on her uniform has gone viral, sparking heated debate and angry reactions online.
The image, taken by a passenger on a flight from Aspen to Dallas, spread quickly across platforms within hours. The uproar comes against the backdrop of the airline’s regulations prohibiting political symbols on uniforms, as well as heightened sensitivities following Hamas’ October 7 attack and kidnappings, in which U.S. citizens were among those killed or abducted.
The footage was shared widely, including by StopAntisemitism, a U.S.-based watchdog group that monitors antisemitism and exposes individuals or entities involved in incitement against Jews and Israel. Many users expressed outrage, calling the pin an offensive political statement by a customer service representative on a commercial flight. Some pointed to the history of Palestinian terror groups hijacking U.S. planes — including flights operated by TWA, which later merged with American Airlines — and the fact that Hamas kidnapped American citizens.
Others, however, praised the flight attendant for her “courage,” describing the pin as a personal, human expression of support for justice for Palestinians. Alongside accusations that she was endorsing terrorism, many commenters argued the backlash was driven by racism and censorship.
According to company guidelines, attendants are permitted to wear up to three small pins, each no larger than one inch, provided they represent the airline, a recognized labor union, or an official business group. Approved pins include the U.S. flag, religious symbols from Judaism, Islam and Christianity, as well as a pride pin. Pins with political content — such as the Palestinian flag — are not on the approved list.
This is not the first time the airline has faced controversy over staff uniforms and political symbols. Several months ago, a confrontation erupted between a Jewish passenger and an American Airlines flight attendant who wore a watermelon pin — a symbol commonly used by pro-Palestinian activists. That dispute escalated into a recorded shouting match and ended with police intervention after landing.
A similar case occurred at Delta Air Lines, where management recently tightened uniform policies after complaints about attendants wearing political pins, including Palestinian flag pins. The move was intended to reduce conflicts with passengers and restore a sense of neutrality in flight cabins.
American Airlines has not yet issued a response.