Delta Air Lines is being sued for $20 million by a passenger who claims a flight attendant slapped him on a recent flight from Atlanta to Fresno, California, according to USA Today.
Mohammad Shibli claims the incident occurred after the crew member refused to serve him and his wife water while "using a very disrespectful tone" on the July 29 flight.
The man's attorney, Awad Ali, pointed out that Shibli's wife was wearing a shirt with the word "Palestine" on it, which could have been a factor.
The passenger said that another flight attendant apologized for the interaction and served the water, but that the original crew member returned and whispered a "very vulgar word" in his ear.
"As she walked away, I stood up and verbally responded with a few bad words,” Shibli said at a press conference in Atlanta on Tuesday. “It was at that time, the Delta attendant took a few steps towards me and struck me with an open palm as hard as she could.”
“It was painful and embarrassing, and as a father, I looked helpless in front of my son. As a husband, I was humiliated, and as a passenger, I feared for the safety for myself and for my family,” he added.
Delta has since launched an investigation into the incident and suspended the flight attendant.
"As the safety and security of our customers and employees comes before all else, Delta launched an immediate internal investigation into this incident," a spokesperson for the airline told USA Today. "While Delta does not comment on internal investigations or pending litigation, we are taking this situation very seriously."
Ali and his client are seeking a day's worth of Delta profits for the incident as well as "education and sensitivity training on Palestine" for the airline's employees.
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