A former flight attendant is taking legal action against a major airline, alleging severe retaliation and discrimination following his reports of safety violations. On December 22, 2025, Mark A. Shannon filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Delta Air Lines, Inc., accusing the company of employment discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
The case centers around Shannon's experiences while employed by Delta as a flight attendant since February 2016. The plaintiff claims that after reporting safety violations to both his employer and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), he faced unlawful discrimination and severe retaliation. This included being held financially responsible for travel costs after a mandatory evacuation from a conflict zone, suspension, and ultimately termination from his position. Shannon's ordeal began on May 4, 2025, during a flight to Tel Aviv when missiles were reportedly flying overhead as the aircraft landed. Following this incident, he was advised to stay in a bomb shelter before returning to New York. Shannon expressed fatigue and fear due to the circumstances but was told by Delta's Base Manager Ileana Bonfante that he would be responsible for his return travel expenses if he did not comply with orders.
Shannon alleges that his complaints about these incidents were met with further retaliation from Delta management. He filed an initial employment discrimination inquiry with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on July 30, 2025, followed by a formal charge on September 23, 2025. The EEOC issued him a Notice of Right to Sue shortly thereafter. In addition to federal claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act for race discrimination and retaliation, Shannon also invokes protections under the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR21) concerning whistleblower retaliation.
The lawsuit seeks various forms of relief including injunctive relief, back pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress and other losses, punitive damages for malicious conduct by Delta Air Lines, as well as litigation costs including attorneys' fees. The complaint argues that Delta's actions were pretextual and motivated by racial discrimination against Shannon who identifies as African American.
Representing Mark A. Shannon is Turturro Law P.C., led by attorney Natraj S. Bhushan based in Staten Island, NY. The case is presided over by judges within the jurisdiction of the Eastern District of New York under Case ID: 1:25-cv-07007.
Source: 125cv07007_Shannon_v_Delta_Air_Lines_Inc_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf