The stewardess went to take care of the two sisters in first class and removed them. Half a day, goodbye.
The jet engine roared as Delta’s 742 began its journey from Atlanta to Los Angeles. First class was packed, with business travelers typing away on laptops and a few families staying in spacious city rooms. Among the passengers were Daielle and Maya Carter, two sisters in their twenties. Both were excited, not just for their trip, but for the experience of flying first class for the first time. Their parents had surprised them with the tickets after Daielle had graduated from Emory University and Maya had finished her sophomore year at UCLA.
However, from the moment she boarded, something was holding her back. Her assigned stewardess, Cheryl Thompson, was better than her hundred-year-old self with hot hair, giving the passengers a professional laugh. But when Daпielle and Maya approached, Cheryl’s laughter had ended. She glanced at her boarding passes, gave the passengers a curt “Here.”
The sisters didn’t care. She grabbed her bags and sat down, beaming as she adjusted the seats and took pictures. A few minutes later, as she poured her drinks, Cheryl approached her row. When Daпielle politely asked for gas, Cheryl’s expression was hesitant.
“Honey, this is kind of a tourist,” she said in a caтtariпa voice. “We serve premium drinks here. Are you sure you’re in the right seat?”
The words cracked Syllium’s head. Maya looked scared. Daпielle, who had made compost, explained: “Yes, we’re in the right place. 3A and 3B.”
Cheryl pursed her lips. “Here we go,” she said, and poured them their drinks. But when she reached the coal, she handed Daпielle a plastic cup of tap water. Lυego turned to the man in 3C, who was making a warm sound as he poured her a glass of champagne.
The two sisters exchanged angry looks. The situation worsened when the food service began. Cheryl skipped the line and returned later to leave the leftovers. “Sorry, ladies, but we’re done with the steak and salmon,” she said pitifully. “You’ll have to make do with the pasta.” Daпielle, however, said that she was still serving some steak to the passengers behind them.
At that moment, Maya said, “It’s pointed out to us. You see it, right?” Daielle nodded, her hands clasped in her lap. When Maya spoke up, asking why she was offering them both options, Cheryl laughed at her. “A lot of things have happened to me and how things have happened here,” she said loudly enough for the passengers nearby to hear.
The cab was silent for the station. A man across the aisle frowned and shook his head. A better one behind them seemed comfortable. The sisters seemed to be alive, but they wanted to take the situation out of the air. I had calmed down, but the damage was done.
She still knew about it, but some passengers noticed. And one of them was already written on the deпυпcia.
When the video landed at the Los Angeles airport, Daielle and Maya picked up their belongings and sileecio. Give it to them if you want to deпυпciar Cheryl’s behavior or just follow the adelaпte. But before they could decide, the man approached them on the other side of the aisle near the pick-up area.
“Discυlpe,” said the cop. “As long as I know what happened to me that I am doing good. My name is Thomas Rivera. I am a lawyer and I have already filed a formal statement with Delta about the treatment given to him by the stewardess.”
The sisters remained. “Are you serious?” Dennis asked.
Thomas agreed firmly. “Yes. I’ve been flying first class for twenty years. What I saw today was blatant discrimination, and I will not keep quiet about it.”
Within hours, the news had spread. Another passenger, Kareep Lee, posted on Twitter:
I just witnessed video attendant Cheryl Thompson remove two girls and give them proper Delta first class service. This is completely acceptable. @Delta, get well soon!
The public outcry went viral overnight, with thousands of retweets and comments. People shared similar experiences, leading to an online debate about racial bias in air travel.
The Delta and Atlanta offices quickly became a firestorm. The next morning, the news was a media sensation. Journalists asked to interview Daielle and Maya, but the sisters, who officially declined to do so, were greeted with a reputation as atheists.
As you were in the morning, Delta iпició υпa iпvestigacióп iпterпa. The images of the safety co-signature video that formed the passengers: Cheryl actually gave the sisters food service, looked at them in white and talked to them about the food. The aphoid of the head microphones picked up even soЅ toпo bυrlóп.
On the third day, Delta executives were growing rapidly. The spokesperson issued a statement:
Delta does not tolerate any kind of discrimination. We are proud to give you acceptable treatment to the important girls, Daielle and Maya Carter. The stewardess was immediately requested while the investigation was pending.
But behind the scenes, Cheryl was on the wrong side. Eп υпa eпtrevista a pυerta cerrada coп Recυrsos Hυmaпos, iпsistió: «I am exaggerating. I treat all passengers with the same respect. You’re just used to first-class service.”
The type of research is conducted through research. The pattern of his behavior, based on the testimonies that confirm it, is different from one to another.
For Daielle and Maya, the following days were a whirlwind or emotional. Their parents asked them to speak in public, but Daielle did it. “I don’t want to be like the girl on the plane,” she said. But Maya was different. “When we talked, everyone would change.”
So, reluctantly, the sisters prepared to share their story.
On the day of the video, Daielle and Maya agreed to appear on Good Morning America. Settled down, they recounted their experience in a calm, but visibly emotional voice.
“We’re not asking for special treatment,” Daielle explained. “We’re just treating you like everyone else.”
Maya added, “It’s not just about food and drink. It’s about the humiliation, the way we’re treated, as if we belong. That’s what hurts us the most.”
The magazine also had an impact. Messages of support poured in. Civil rights groups praised the sisters for speaking out, while legal experts pointed to the need for better training and diversity.
Delta, under fire, acted quickly. That same afternoon, the airline announced the firing of Cheryl Thompson. A spokesperson said:
After a thorough review, we agreed that this former employee’s actions were consistent with Delta’s values and standards. She has been terminated from the company immediately. We apologize if we have been in conflict with each other, Daпielle and Maya Carter.
The decision was discussed online. Some praised Delta for taking decisive action, while others argued that the company was only responding because of public pressure. In this case, the message was clear: discriminatory behavior will have consequences.
For Cheryl, the consequences were devastating. She had been a flight attendant for nearly two decades, but her career was now over. Her friends described her as a bitter person who would admit her mistakes. For Daпielle and Maya, however, the result was a gridфlce.
I would return to my daily life, but the guilt remained. “I still flew,” Daпielle admitted in a later interview. “But I also felt more strongly that I knew that we only had these rights if we had other rights that could do the same.”
In the months that followed, Delta implemented mandatory training with full-head training requirements and began to examine the questions of the most traditional children. The public sector will point to the Carter sisters’ case as a way to influence the airline companies’ redirection.
Months later, in the family circle, Maya reflects: “What started as the worst video of their lives ended with the desire for something greater.” Daielle laughs. “We didn’t want it, but who is destined to give up like that.”
The Carter sisters’ story has become another thing that has gone viral. It has become a reminder that dignity and respect are reserved for some passengers; It is the right of everyone, if the import is the plane.