Happier landing
United settles with booted flier
The Kentucky doctor who sustained a broken nose and a concussion and lost teeth while being violently dragged off a full United Airlines flight earlier month has settled with the carrier, his lawyers announced on Thursday.
Dr. David Dao and United reached an “amicable” settlement for an undisclosed amount, according to a statement from his lawyers.
Terms of the settlement are confidential.
Attorney Thomas Demetrio praised United CEO Oscar Munoz for doing “the right thing.”
“In addition, United has taken full responsibility for what happened on Flight 3411, without attempting to blame others, including the city of Chicago. For this acceptance of corporate accountability, United is to be applauded,” said Demetrio.
United didn’t immediately comment on the settlement.
The airline was forced to apologize for the embarrassing April 9 incident, which was video-recorded by fellow passengers and showed the 69-year-old Dao ripped from his seat by officers at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport.
Dao, who was traveling with his wife on the flight back home to Louisville, Ky., refused to get off the plane to make room for a crew member who was bound for another flight there.
As a result, Dao was left bloodied and was slated to undergo reconstruction surgery on his face, his lawyer said shortly after the incident.
On Thursday, United announced an overhaul of its policies, including reducing overbooked flights and offering up to $10,000 for passengers who agree to give up their seats.
“Dr. Dao has become the unintended champion for the adoption of changes which will certainly help improve the lives of literally millions of travelers,” Demetrio said.
Munoz spoke at length about the Dao debacle — and the sudden death of Simon the giant rabbit following a United flight — with Lester Holt on NBC’s “Nightly News” in an interview that aired in full Thursday night.
But in a ham-handed apology, the CEO equated the dead pet to lost luggage.
“We are deeply sorry for the loss of anything from your luggage to, of course, a loved pet,” Munoz said.