Multiple Orthodox Jewish passengers on Lufthansa flight LH1397 from Prague to Frankfurt tell YWN they were singled out and forced to check their carry-on luggage, while other passengers with larger bags were allowed to board without issue.
The incident occurred Monday afternoon at Václav Havel Airport, shortly before the scheduled 2:30 PM departure. According to firsthand accounts, the passengers — identifiable by their religious attire — were approached at the gate and asked if they were comfortable sitting in the emergency exit row. Upon agreeing, they were immediately told their hand luggage would need to be checked, allegedly for failing to fit easily into the sizing rack.
One passenger, who arrived at the airport around 12:30 PM, explained to staff that he had a tight connection in Frankfurt and could not afford delays caused by checking a bag. His request was denied. When he questioned why only visibly Orthodox passengers were being subjected to this policy, he was told the inquiry was inappropriate and was threatened with removal from the boarding area.
“No other passengers — many with visibly larger suitcases — were stopped, measured, or asked to check their bags,” the passenger said.
The situation escalated when the passenger attempted to photograph another traveler’s larger suitcase that had been allowed onboard. A Lufthansa staff member blocked the camera and threatened to call the police.
While Lufthansa has not yet issued a comment on the incident, the airline has previously faced allegations of discriminatory conduct toward Orthodox Jewish travelers. In 2022, Lufthansa apologized after a group of Jewish passengers was barred from boarding a flight in Frankfurt, and later shelled out millions in fines over the incident.
The passengers involved in Monday’s incident described the experience as humiliating and discriminatory.
“No one should be treated differently because of how they look or what they wear,” one of the passengers told YWN. “We were not asking for special treatment — only fair treatment.”
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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17 Responses
Not looking to be devil’s advocat overhere
But maybe because you’re seated in an emergency exit. They want to make sure your bag will fit in the overhead ?
Only after asked abot the emergency exit they where asked to check their bags
Some context would be helpful.
Where were they people headed? Was it a tour group? Chasidim going to Kerestir? More details please.
This happens all the time. This has happened on Lufthansa, JetBlue and United before. There clearly is a double standard. Perhaps our money isn’t as green. It must be reported on social media platforms. Bottom line, nobody can afford negative advertisement.
Zionists making us going to the army and now we are forced to check in the oversized baggage. Antisemitism in this generation is sky high.
Why would anyone agree to sit in the emergency exit aisle?
their grandparents murdered jews, and they’re carrying on the german tradition. SEIG HEIL!
Get all the Jewish passengers together get yourself an attorney and sue the hell out of Lufthansa if you’ll be stubborn you’ll win you will be compensated 10-fold at the end
NEVER SET FOOT ON GERMANY:- Not even just for a connecting flight.
Nothing has changed in over 3000 years. Its surprising that you expect otherwise.
You are in a host country. Just go along with them and be thankful that they let you board the plane. Stop thinking that you are equal to everyone else. Its not true. You are Jew in golus.
“Gaza” has made antisemitism acceptable in leftist circles. Europe is a hotbed.
Why are Jews still flying Lufthansa is beyond me. They are known antisemites who have done this kind of stuff on numerous occasions. Just boycott them already!
Where were the passengers in the line? Many airlines give the disclaimer that they might have to put the luggage in hold if there is not enough space.
They give priority to those who are in the front when the plane is full.
Never had a problem in Czech republic or in that airport Usually they are super respectful
I had a neighbor a holocaust survivor who cried to me when he saw a popular tzeddakah organization Chinese auction prize flying people on Lufthanza. They couldn’t find only a German airline? Have we already forgotten what they did to us? Why is any Jew even thinking of flying with them?
A Brief History of Antisemitism:
2,500 years ago: Let’s kill the Jews
2,300 years ago: Let’s prevent Jews from practicing the most important tenets of their faith
2,000 years ago: Let’s destroy their Temple
1,600 years ago: Let’s exile them from their homes
1,200 years ago: Let’s force Jews to convert
900 years ago: Let’s ban Jews from owning land
650 years ago: Let’s ban Jews from many occupations
400 years ago: Let’s torture & burn Jews at the stake
200 years ago: Let’s tax Jews into abject poverty & hunger
90 years ago: Let’s send them to Siberia for practicing Judaism
83 years ago: Let’s gas & burn them for being Jews
May 2025: Let’s force the Jews to check their carry-on luggage
Overall I’d say we’re doing pretty well.
Apparently most of you don’t watch TV and are not aware that visibly Ultra (clothing) Ortho Jews are experienced as slum lords by decent people living in their buildings in Low-income housing, where asbestos, rat droppings, and mold are making people sick.
We are living in times where your private chillul Hashem is on NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, BBC, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
Choosing not to watch it doesn’t make it go away.
Either change your clothing to a new style, or publicly denounce those who disregard the health and welfare of human beings
And that’s just the beginning.
We have a lot to learn:
In shidduchim
In shemiras Halashon
In caring for singles
And divorcees.
And homeless people.
And cousins who don’t yet keep Shabbos.
Don’t waste your time arguing. Change yourself and you change the narrative.
Hashem will surely notice.