Delta Air Lines passenger drunkenly slugged retiree over reclining seat: lawsuit
Share this @internewscast.com

A retired woman mourning her son’s death was allegedly punched in the chest by an inebriated Delta Air Lines passenger after she requested that a reclined seat be adjusted, as per a federal lawsuit.

Minnie Holmes, aged 72, was on a flight back to Minneapolis from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She voiced her dissatisfaction when another female passenger reclined her seat so far that it blocked access to her tray table, according to documents reviewed by The Post.

The lawsuit filed against Delta Air Lines on Tuesday claims that the other passenger and her companion were “loud” and “using foul language,” creating a scene after they were served numerous alcoholic drinks.

Holmes’ daughter then “politely” asked the woman to move up her seat, but she angrily refused, the filing stated.


Delta Air Lines Airbus A330 landing at London Heathrow Airport.
Minnie Holmes was allegedly drunkenly punched in the chest by the male partner of a woman whom she complained had reclined her seat back too far. NurPhoto via Getty Images

After the loud retort, a Delta employee was alerted to the group and told the female passenger she was allowed to keep her seat reclined — and eventually came back to serve the already allegedly intoxicated couple even more alcohol, the lawsuit claimed.

The couple then grew more drunk, even jeering at Holmes, all while continuing to be served alcohol, according to the filing, which did not identify the pair.

While Holmes’ daughter went to help her mother grab something from her bag, the angry man allegedly reached behind the seat and forcefully punched Holmes in the chest, according to the lawsuit.

The shocking blow caused Holmes “substantial pain,” the document said.


A hand holding a cup of beer on an airplane.
Flight attendants allegedly continued to serve the couple drinks despite their visible drunkenness and excessive “swearing.” Getty Images/iStockphoto

Despite knowing about the attack, a Delta Air Lines flight attendant allegedly just told the group, “You guys need to figure this out.”

The couple was eventually moved to other seats further away from Holmes and were then escorted off the plane and to law enforcement at the end of the flight, the lawsuit said. It was not clear if they were charged.

Holmes, who had recently lost her son Stephen, had gone on the trip to Puerto Rico for relief during the difficult time, according to the filing.

Now, the retiree is “unable to look at the photos from the trip because it causes her great distress to think about being assaulted by the intoxicated passenger,” the lawsuit said.

Holmes is now seeking a monetary award from Delta for the medical expenses, emotional distress, and pain she allegedly suffered following the assault, the lawsuit said.

“While we don’t have any specific comment on this pending litigation, Delta has zero tolerance for customers who engage in inappropriate or unlawful behavior toward other customers or Delta people and will work with law enforcement to that end,” a Delta spokesperson told the Independent.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Texas House Democrats remain out of state as redistricting showdown continues

Texas House Democrats Continue Out-of-State Protest Amid Redistricting Dispute

The debate over redistricting in Texas, where congressional districts might be revised…

Two Small Planes Collide, Igniting Large Fire on Montana Airport Runway

A SMALL aircraft has been involved in a fiery crash after allegedly…
Water shoots high into air after contractor hits main near Bryn Mawr Avenue, Courtland Avenue on Chicago's NW Side

Contractor Hits Main Near Bryn Mawr and Courtland Avenues, Causing Water to Soar on Chicago’s NW Side

CHICAGO (WLS) — What looked like a geyser appeared on Chicago’s Northwest…
Smartwatch with rose gold mesh band and extra black leather bands.

Shoppers Alerted: $50 On-Sale Item from Home Shopping Network Reportedly Causes Burns After Catching Fire

HOME Shopping Network shoppers have been warned after a smartwatch started catching…
Tracking the Tropics: Tropical Storm Erin forms in Eastern Tropical Atlantic near Cabo Verde Islands, NHC monitor 2 other areas

Tropical Storm Erin Develops Near Cabo Verde Islands; NHC Observes Two Additional Areas in the Eastern Atlantic

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has named the fifth storm of the…

Billionaire’s Son Peter Goodwin Reportedly Had Affair with Nanny, Requested Divorce on Christmas Day

A wealthy heir in the bowling industry reportedly engaged in an affair…
Pilot, 3 passengers walk away from fiery plane crash in Montana: Video

Pilot and Three Passengers Survive Fiery Plane Crash in Montana: Watch the Video

A video has emerged showing the scene following a plane accident at…
Justice at Last: Rachel Morin's Illegal Alien Killer Finds Out His Harsh Destiny

Justice Served: Illegal Alien Suspect in Rachel Morin Case Faces Harsh Fate

Their lives were cruelly taken by those who should never have had…
Man holding a 2.68-meter-long catfish.

Fisherman Catches Massive 9-Foot Catfish in Czech River After Intense 50-Minute Struggle

AN ANGLER reeled in a massive 9ft catfish after a gruelling 50-minute…
CBP Tariffs Shock Gold Market, Not Trump, Experts Say

Experts Claim CBP Tariffs, Not Trump, Disrupt the Gold Market

The global gold market took an unexpected hit on July 31, 2025,…
Woman in wheelchair with neck brace and arm sling, surrounded by family.

Giraffe Attack That Left Me Paralysed and Took My Baby Girl’s Life Continues to Haunt Me

As nearly one ton of giraffe came charging towards Nicole Panos and…
Migrants in a makeshift camp outside Paris City Hall awaiting emergency housing.

Protests Erupt as Migrants Suffer Harsh Conditions Outside Paris’ Iconic Town Hall

TWO men have reportedly urinated on a pregnant homeless woman and her…