Family Files Lawsuit Against American Airlines After Child Bumped from Disney-Bound Flight
A military veteran father and his deaf wife are taking legal action against American Airlines after their 4-year-old son was involuntarily bumped from a flight to Disney World, plunging what they described as a "once-in-a-lifetime" family vacation into disarray. The incident, which occurred despite the family arriving early and booking preferred seats, has sparked outrage and highlighted ongoing issues with airline overbooking practices.
Chaotic Scramble After Bumping Incident
According to a lawsuit reviewed by The Independent, Coby and Emily Stewart of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, paid $5,187.58 for six round-trip tickets on American Airlines for themselves and their four children, aged 4 to 11. The family was headed to Orlando, Florida, for a Disney World vacation in January 2025. Upon check-in at Lake Charles Regional Airport, Coby Stewart informed the ticket agent that he was a former U.S. military member and that his wife Emily was deaf, requiring him as her sign language interpreter.
The agent allegedly told the couple the flight was oversold and one person would have to be bumped, even though the family had arrived nearly two hours early. Despite explaining that Emily could not manage four children alone due to her disability, the agent refused to accommodate them. Ultimately, the airline prepared to eject 4-year-old Archer Stewart from the flight, forcing Coby to take him to another airport while Emily traveled with the other children.
Broken Promises and Rescinded Compensation
The ticket agent promised Coby Stewart a $1,200 voucher and guaranteed he would reunite with his family at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport later that day. However, while racing to Jack Brooks Regional Airport in Beaumont, Texas—over 90 minutes away—to catch an alternate flight, Coby received a call from the agent. She rescinded the voucher, claiming the original flight had not actually been overbooked.
Attorney Chris Ieyoub, representing the family, stated that Coby and Archer did not reunite with the others in Dallas and arrived at the Disney resort late that night, "frazzled" after what he described as risking "life and limb" speeding to another state. The lawsuit alleges the agent only targeted the family after learning of Emily's disability, calling them "the one and only passengers in the lottery to be ejected from a full flight."
Legal Claims and Airline Response
The Stewarts are seeking damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress, fear, anxiety, plus court costs and interest. Their complaint, initially filed in state court on February 27 and moved to federal court on March 10, details the family's ordeal and the alleged misconduct by American Airlines staff.
American Airlines, which reportedly involuntarily bumps more ticketed passengers than any other carrier, has not responded to requests for comment. Last week, the airline requested an additional 21 days to formally respond, citing recent retention of counsel and need for investigation time.
Broader Context of Airline Bumping Practices
This case echoes other high-profile incidents, such as Air Canada bumping a 10-year-old boy in 2017 and United Airlines forcibly removing a passenger in 2017. Under U.S. Department of Transportation rules, bumped passengers delayed one to two hours are entitled to double the one-way ticket price (up to $1,075), while delays over two hours warrant four times the value (up to $2,150).
The lawsuit underscores ongoing consumer frustrations with airline overbooking, particularly when vulnerable passengers are affected. As the legal proceedings unfold, the Stewart family's experience serves as a stark reminder of the potential chaos and emotional toll when travel plans go awry due to corporate policies.
