United faces age discrimination claims for offering discount only to travelers ages 18 to 22

United customers have filed a lawsuit alleging they were the victims of age discrimination, saying they were excluded from a 10% discount offered to 18- to 22-year-olds. The suit, filed Tuesday in the US District Court for the Southern District of California, alleges violations of California anti-discrimination law and seeks class-action status on behalf of customers excluded from the promotion because of their age. Plaintiffs Fuiolevaga Riddick, of Los Angeles, and David Pacheco, of San Diego, were 23 and 67 years old, respectively, at the time the alleged discrimination occurred, according to the complaint. The promotion was intended to make travel more available to younger people who are either still in college or just starting their careers, United spokeswoman Rachael Rivas said Wednesday. “It is a shame that a few individuals take issue with an offer that is intended to make travel more accessible to more people,” Rivas said. “We believe this lawsuit is completely baseless and will defend ourselves vigorously.”<br/>