World · East Asia & Pacific · 17 hrs ago
Two passengers sue Asiana Airlines for about 2.35 trillion won
Two passengers are suing Asiana Airlines in a US federal court, seeking about 2.35 trillion won in damages.
The lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California by a Russian woman and one other plaintiff.
They say they faced racial discrimination during check-in for a flight from Da Nang, Vietnam, to Incheon, South Korea.
The woman had difficulty boarding, but the airline explained the situation and allowed her to continue her trip.
The plaintiffs seek compensation for mental and material harm, as well as punitive damages, and the claim is about 228% of Asiana's equity at the end of last year.
Asiana says staff carried out routine travel document checks, not discrimination based on nationality.
The court will determine the airline's liability and any amount it must pay as the case proceeds.
Two plaintiffs, including a Russian woman, have sued Asiana Airlines in a US federal court over alleged racial discrimination during check-in.
They are seeking about $1.7547 billion, reported as roughly 2.35 trillion won.
The plaintiffs say they were treated discriminatorily while checking travel documents for a flight from Da Nang, Vietnam, to Incheon, South Korea.
Asiana says it carried out a routine travel-document check and says it will respond through legal proceedings.
The airline said the court process will determine whether it has liability and, if so, the amount.
- Who
- Two plaintiffs, including Russian national Iana Rodionova, sued Asiana Airlines.
- What
- They are seeking about $1.7547 billion in damages, alleging racial discrimination during check-in.
- When
- The airline disclosed the lawsuit on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- The case was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. The alleged incident occurred during check-in for a flight from Da Nang to Incheon.
- Why
- The plaintiffs say they suffered racial discrimination while their travel documents were checked. Asiana says the check was routine.
The plaintiffs
Asiana Airlines
Treatment during check-in
The plaintiffs
The plaintiffs allege they were subjected to racial discrimination while travel documents were checked.
Asiana Airlines
The airline says it conducted a routine travel-document check and did not discriminate based on nationality.
Damages
The plaintiffs
The plaintiffs seek compensation for mental and material harm, as well as punitive damages.
Asiana Airlines
The airline says whether it will ultimately bear liability and the amount will be decided through the legal process.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Plaintiffs
- Two, including Russian national Iana Rodionova
- Claim amount
- $1.7547 billion, reported as about 2.35 trillion won
- Court
- US District Court for the Northern District of California
- Route involved
- Da Nang, Vietnam, to Incheon, South Korea
- Claimed conduct
- Alleged racial discrimination during travel-document checks
3 sources
What people are saying
The question of whether our company will ultimately bear liability and the amount will be decided in the course of the lawsuit.