Delta Air Lines passenger seeking damages, claims flight attendant slapped him

by Atlanta First News staff

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Attorneys for a Delta passenger who claims he was assaulted by a flight attendant are seeking damages against the major airliner.

Mohammad Shibli, a Palestinian American, alleges he was slapped in the face by a Delta Air Lines flight attendant during a flight from Atlanta to Fresno, California.

According to attorneys, it started when Shibli asked the attendant for water for his son and was denied. Shibli’s legal team claims the flight attendant had a “tone” with him, and their interaction escalated, resulting in Shibli allegedly being slapped.

Shibli’s attorney said his client remained calm and didn’t react to the alleged assault.

“Instead, he chose to calm down and sit in humiliation for another four hours on that flight. The response from the witnesses who saw this was just as shocked as you all are,” attorney Ali Awad with CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Firm said.

Shibli’s legal team is now demanding that every Delta Air Lines employee get sensitivity training on Palestine and a day of the company’s profits in damages.

In a statement, Delta said it has launched an internal investigation into the allegation.

“While Delta does not comment on internal investigations or pending litigation, we are taking this situation very seriously,” the company said. “This flight attendant has been suspended while the investigation is ongoing.”

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First as we learn more.

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