Black passengers sue American Airlines, alleging they were thrown off a plane because of false body odor complaint

(CNN)– American Airlines is being sued by three black men who allege racial discrimination on a flight.

According to the suit, Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, Xavier Veal and five other black male passengers were removed from a flight from Phoenix to New York on January 5.

The filing says an airline representative ordered each man off the plane before takeoff due to a complaint about their body order.

But at least one American Airlines representative agreed with the plaintiffs when they suggested it was because of race, according to the suit.