Delta Air Lines is facing a potential lawsuit after a passenger alleged that a flight attendant physically assaulted him during a flight in July 2025. The complaint, drafted by personal injury firm CEO Lawyer and posted on Instagram, claims the passenger was slapped across the face after a disagreement with crew members. The incident has sparked controversy over in-flight conduct, the rights of passengers, and flight attendant training standards.
Allegedly, the altercation began after the passenger raised concerns about service and interactions with the cabin crew. What started as a verbal disagreement allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation. This is exceedingly rare in air travel and would be a shocking violation of airline protocols if proven to be true.
Breakdown Of The Incident
On July 29, 2025, Mohammed Shibli was traveling with his wife and two children from 
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Fresno to attend a relative’s wedding. Reportedly, the family had attempted to obtain water for their two-year-old son, but were initially denied as the beverage cart had not reached their row. Later, another flight attendant provided the drink.
The incident becomes slightly stranger as, allegedly, the first flight attendant repeatedly asked the family for their drink option after arriving at their row, and the two began having an argument. They then exchanged vulgar words, Shibli stood up, and the flight attendant slapped him in the face. Eyewitness accounts that were reported on Yahoo News and the Independent confirm that it was the flight attendant who slapped Mohammed Shibli.
It’s been noted that Shibli is a Palestinian Muslim and that his wife was wearing a Palestine shirt on the flight. However, the exact exchange between Shibli and the flight attendant is not known, so it’s unclear the full role race or ethnic background played in this incident. Reportedly, another passenger heard the flight attendant say, “you don’t get to call me that” after striking him.
The Aftermath Of The Incident
Shibli reported being threatened with arrest by the flight attendant during beverage service. However, it would end up being the flight attendant who was questioned by law enforcement after the flight, though it does not appear that she was arrested. Delta Air Lines has suspended the employee pending a further investigation into the incident.
Based on the released details, it’s likely that this incident occurred towards the beginning of the flight, and Shibli reported feeling “helpless” and “humiliated” in front of his family, especially as the flight lasted nearly four additional hours. The rest of the flight proceeded without incident, and Mohammed Shibli is looking to file a lawsuit against Delta with CEO Lawyer in Atlanta.
|
Flight Number |
Origin |
Destination |
Aircraft Type |
Departure |
Arrival |
Scheduled Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
DL 561 |
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia |
Fresno Yosemite International Airport, California |
Boeing 737-800 |
19:17 |
20:59 |
4h 42m |
The firm is demanding sensitivity training on Palestine for all Delta employees, along with one day of Delta’s profits (estimated at roughly $20 million). If Delta doesn’t agree to these terms, the firm threatens to file the lawsuit. While some details have yet to be revealed, what’s clear is that the flight attendant’s actions, if they were as described, are completely unacceptable, no matter the circumstance.
Challenges And Implications For Flight Attendants
The lawsuit raises questions about how airlines prepare and support their crews for high-pressure situations. Flight attendants are often the first line of defense against disruptions, tasked with maintaining order while balancing safety and service. It’s a stressful position, and while physical violence is never ok in any circumstance, this incident will certainly prompt a review into the resources and training that cabin crew receive.
The lawsuit alleges that the incident occurred due to the passengers being Palestinian. While it’s difficult to independently verify what exactly caused the altercation, Delta has been involved in controversy regarding Palestine in the past. In 2024, Delta posted a reply to an X post that referred to Palestinian flag pins as “Hamas badges.” The reply was later taken down, and Delta was accused of supporting anti-Palestinian bigotry.
The Gaza War has been one of the most controversial political issues in the United States in recent years. Airlines are generally looking to stay away from any associations with the war, but incidents such as these can negatively tarnish an airline’s brand (in this case, Delta), not just due to the violence, but also due to the association with anti-Palestinian racism. As such, Delta will look to keep this incident as quiet as possible and take internal measures to prevent a repeat.
