Passenger violently dragged off United Airlines plane wins settlement

A Kentucky doctor who was dragged off a United flight after he refused to give up his seat to employees of a partner airline reached a settlement on Thursday with United for an undisclosed amount of money.

David Dao’s legal team said in a brief statement that the agreement includes a provision that the amount will remain confidential, and praised United CEO Oscar Munoz, adding that he "said he was going to do the right thing and he has.”

Dao, a 69-year-old Vietnamese-American doctor, was taken to hospital after he was violently removed from the plane by Chicago aviation police to make space for four crew members on the flight from  the city's O'Hare International Airport to Louisville, Kentucky.

He had refused to give up his seat, saying he had patients to see the next day.

Video of the bleeding doctor went viral online and sparked international outrage.

Dao suffered concussion, a broken nose, and lost his two front teeth in an experience that his lawyer said was "more horrifying and harrowing" than his experiences during the Vietnam War.

Dao's lawyer, Thomas Demetrio, said his client "has become the unintended champion for the adoption of changes which will certainly help improve the lives of literally millions of travellers".

What the plaintiff's attorneys described as an "amicable settlement" comes on the same day that United Airlines announced a shakeup of its booking policy.

Passengers will now be offered up to $10,000 (€9,000) for giving up their seats, among other changes that Dao's lawyer said should be "applauded".

"Every customer deserves to be treated with the highest levels of service and the deepest sense of dignity and respect," Munoz said in announcing the airline carrier's change in policy.

"Two weeks ago, we failed to meet that standard and we profoundly apologise."

Three Chicago Department of Aviation officers who pulled Dao off the plane and a supervisor involved in the incident remain on paid leave.