An American Airlines passenger is suing the carrier for more than $75,000, alleging that flight attendants not only ignored his pleas for help when he was assaulted by an intoxicated passenger but also mocked him and accused him of misconduct.

David Cruz filed a complaint in a Miami district court in September 2025, stemming from an incident on a flight from Miami, Florida, to Los Angeles, California. Cruz, who was flying on a discounted standby "buddy pass," was seated next to a passenger who had been involved in an earlier altercation on the flight. According to the complaint, crew members transferred the unruly passenger to the seat next to Cruz, 17B, despite his prior disruptive behavior.

Cruz claims that this passenger, who was allegedly intoxicated, elbowed him in the ribs multiple times, causing bruising, and spilled wine on his clothes and documents. When Cruz reported the behavior to the flight attendants, the lawsuit states they failed to intervene.

Upon arrival in Los Angeles, a female flight attendant allegedly confronted Cruz aggressively, questioning his employment and travel status. The lawsuit details the attendant yelling at Cruz, "TELL ME THE TRUTH! WHERE DO YOU WORK? YOU ARE A D2, DON’T LIE — YOU ARE LYING TO ME! YOU WORK IN MIAMI, RIGHT? WHERE DO YOU WORK?" She also reportedly mocked his status as an attorney flying on a non-revenue pass, saying, "OH YEAH! YOU ARE AN ATTORNEY, BUT YOU FLY D2? HAHAHA, YOU ARE LYING, JUST TELL THE TRUTH."

Adding to Cruz's distress, he later received a call from American Airlines' corporate security department. The airline accused him of "passenger misconduct" and suggested he had been intoxicated, an allegation Cruz denies, stating he had not consumed alcohol before boarding and his drink was spilled by the other passenger. An internal investigation by American Airlines reportedly supported the flight attendants' claims against Cruz.

American Airlines has been issued a summons in response to the lawsuit, though the company has not yet formally responded. The FBI is reportedly investigating the conduct of the intoxicated passenger involved in the initial altercation.