Maya collected her belongings, feeling a tap on her shoulder. It was Denise, the flight attendant. “I’m so sorry you had to experience that,” she said sincerely. “We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. Please know that the airline is taking this very seriously.”

Once inside the terminal, Maya was approached by a representative from the airline. The representative apologized profusely and assured her that an investigation was underway. They offered her a complimentary ticket for a future flight and access to their VIP lounge for the remainder of her journey. While these gestures didn’t erase the sting of what happened, Maya appreciated the acknowledgment and support.