FORT WORTH, Texas -- The NAACP is warning black passengers that if they fly on American Airlines they could be subject to discrimination or even unsafe conditions.

American said Wednesday it's disappointed by the announcement and will invite the civil rights group to meet and talk about the airline.

The NAACP said that for several months it has watched a pattern of disturbing incidents reported by black passengers. Among them was activist Tamika Mallory's claim last week that she was a victim of racial bias when a pilot ordered her off a flight after a dispute with another airline employee over her seat.

The NAACP said the recent incidents involving African-Americans suggest that American has a corporate culture of racial insensitivity and possible bias. American said it has a diverse workforce and serves customers of all backgrounds. 

American released the following statement in response:

Dear Fellow Team Members,

Of all the really important things our team members do – and that list is long – bringing people together is at the top. We fly over borders, walls and stereotypes to connect people from different races, religions, nationalities, economic backgrounds and sexual orientations. We make the world a smaller, more inclusive place. And we do it professionally and safely every day for more than 500,000 customers across five continents.

So, we were disappointed to learn of a travel advisory issued by the NAACP regarding American Airlines. The mission statement of the NAACP states that it “seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination.” That’s a mission that the people of American Airlines endorse and facilitate every day – we do not and will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We have reached out to the NAACP and are eager to meet with them to listen to their issues and concerns.

As we work through this in concert with the NAACP, please keep doing the great and noble work you always do: treat our customers and each other with respect; connect diverse groups of people with each other and allow them to see the world; make the world a smaller and more open place; and do it professionally and safely.