United Airlines is facing a lawsuit from a former pilot, John Paul Castillo III, who alleges his termination was the result of racial discrimination. The lawsuit, filed on October 29, 2025, claims the airline wrongfully dismissed the ex-Air Force combat pilot after he was arrested for a DUI in 2023. Castillo contends that United assumed he was an alcoholic because he is Hispanic. United Airlines required Castillo to enroll in a substance abuse program following the arrest, which he refused to do, stating the DUI was an isolated incident and an independent evaluation found he did not have an alcohol-use disorder. All charges related to the DUI were reportedly dismissed. In response, United Airlines maintains that it followed established safety protocols and FAA medical procedures in its handling of the matter.