Delta flight incident: Passenger sues airline over injury from beverage cart

A Delta Airlines flight from Paris to New York has become the subject of a lawsuit after a passenger, Gail Hamilton, claimed she was seriously injured onboard. According to Hamilton, the incident occurred on June 21, 2022, while she was seated in an aisle seat on Delta Flight 263.

Hamilton alleges that during the flight, a flight attendant unexpectedly struck her multiple times with a fully loaded beverage cart, causing injuries to her right shoulder. The passenger filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court, accusing the airline and the employee of negligence. Hamilton claims the incident resulted from insufficient staff training and improper handling of the cart in the narrow aisle of the plane.

Implications for travelers

The case presented in court raises important questions about onboard safety, particularly on long-haul flights where the use of beverage and food carts is a routine part of passenger service. For airlines, this serves as a reminder of the necessity of thorough staff training to minimize the risk of such incidents, especially on international flights that frequently attract the attention of tourists from around the world.

For travelers, this incident may prompt considerations about onboard safety, especially during long flights. Even seemingly minor incidents, such as interactions with carts, can lead to serious consequences, particularly if airlines do not adequately train their staff.

Although Hamilton's attorney and a Delta spokesperson declined to comment on the case, the incident highlights the need for stricter control over onboard safety standards. With the increased interest in international travel, especially in the post-pandemic period, passenger safety issues have become paramount.

Additionally, incidents like this can impact the reputation of airlines, which is increasingly important in the competitive international air travel market. It is important to note that this is not the first time Delta Airlines has faced legal issues related to passenger service. Last month, the company was also involved in legal proceedings in the U.S., related to the refusal to refund passengers after mass flight cancellations due to a global system outage.