Passenger sues American Airlines over alleged assault and crew misconduct on 2025 flight

David Cruz, traveling on a heavily discounted standby ticket from Miami to Los Angeles, alleges that American Airlines placed an unruly, intoxicated passenger in the seat beside him after an earlier altercation. According to the complaint, the neighbor repeatedly elbowed Cruz, drenched his clothing and paperwork with wine, and caused bruising, yet flight attendants did not step in. When Cruz reported the assault, a female crew member allegedly shouted at him about his "D2" standby status and threatened loss of flight benefits.

Days later, American Airlines’ corporate security department labeled Cruz as a misconduct case, accusing him of being intoxicated despite his claim of having only a spilled drink. Cruz is seeking more than $75,000 for mental anguish, anxiety, humiliation and loss of enjoyment of life. American Airlines has been summoned but has not filed a response, and the FBI is probing the alleged assault by the drunk passenger.