Multiple Orthodox Jewish passengers on Lufthansa flight LH1397 from Prague to Frankfurt tell Monsey Scoop 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 Monsey Scoop. “We were not asking for special treatment — only fair treatment.”
