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Delta Air Lines is facing legal action after a passenger alleged he was physically assaulted by a flight attendant during a July 2025 flight. The complaint, drafted by personal injury firm CEO Lawyer and shared on Instagram, claims that Mohammed Shibli was slapped across the face following a disagreement with crew members. The incident has led to public discussion about in-flight conduct, passenger rights, and the training of airline staff.
The altercation reportedly began when Shibli, traveling with his wife and two children from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Fresno Yosemite International Airport, requested water for his two-year-old son but was initially denied because the beverage cart had not reached their row. Another flight attendant later provided the drink. According to accounts reported by Yahoo News and the Independent, an argument developed between Shibli and the first flight attendant after repeated questions about their drink order. Vulgar words were exchanged, Shibli stood up, and then he was allegedly slapped by the crew member.
Shibli is identified as a Palestinian Muslim, and his wife wore a Palestine shirt during the flight. While it remains unclear what specific words were exchanged or whether race or ethnicity played a direct role in the incident, another passenger reportedly heard the flight attendant say "you don’t get to call me that" after striking him.
