In a disturbing incident, a mother and her teenage daughter have taken legal action against Delta Air Lines, accusing the airline of negligence that led to a mid-flight assault by an intoxicated passenger. The alleged incident occurred on a flight from JFK Airport to Athens, Greece, in late July 2022 and has left the victims traumatized.
According to court documents filed in New York’s Eastern District, the plaintiffs were seated next to a male passenger who was already visibly intoxicated when he boarded the flight. Despite his evident state, the flight attendants continued to serve him drinks, allegedly providing at least 10 vodkas on ice during the nearly 9-hour journey.
As the flight progressed, the man’s behavior became increasingly alarming. He attempted to engage in inappropriate conversation with the young woman seated beside him, causing both her and her mother to feel unsafe and uncomfortable. The man’s actions reportedly included yelling, obscene gestures, and inappropriate touching.
In distress, the woman sought help from the flight attendants, hoping they would intervene and address the situation. However, according to the lawsuit, her pleas were ignored, and one flight attendant allegedly dismissed her concerns with a callous remark to “be patient” before walking away.
Despite the male passenger’s increasing drunkenness, which even led him to rush to the restroom to vomit, the flight attendants reportedly failed to take appropriate action. The desperate mother tried to have their seats changed but was unsuccessful. Even when she approached another flight attendant for assistance, her concerns were allegedly brushed aside, as the crew member admitted to serving the already intoxicated man more wine.
Amidst the escalating ordeal, the teenage girl suffered a panic attack, rendering her even more vulnerable to the male passenger’s predatory advances. The lawsuit alleges that he took advantage of her distress by reaching under her shirt, intensifying the trauma the family endured during the flight.
Upon landing at their destination, the victims were offered a mere 5,000 “Sky Miles” as an apology, a gesture that did little to address the seriousness of the incident. Shockingly, the airline’s employees also failed to report the man’s disturbing behavior to the authorities.
The plaintiffs are now seeking $2 million in damages, holding Delta Air Lines responsible for their alleged negligence in allowing the situation to escalate and failing to protect them during the flight.
This lawsuit highlights the critical issue of passenger safety during air travel and raises questions about the responsibility of airlines to address the behavior of intoxicated individuals onboard. The case will likely draw attention to the need for improved training and protocols for handling such situations to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers during flights.
Sources By Agencies
