ATLANTA- Delta Air Lines (DL) has reached a confidential settlement with former flight attendant Aryasp Nejat following a lawsuit he filed after reporting a sexual assault that occurred during his training graduation event in Atlanta (ATL).
The case, filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington, also alleged retaliation and union-related interference.
Nejat, hired in May 2023, claimed he was dismissed shortly after discussing the assault and Delta’s anti-union activities in a semi-private Facebook group for flight attendants.
The settlement ends a dispute involving allegations of sexual harassment, organizational pressure, and violations of the Railway Labor Act.
Delta Flight Attendant Assault Settlement
According to PYOK, the settlement was reached for an undisclosed amount and formally communicated to the court through a Notice of Settlement.
Both parties informed the court that they expect to file a stipulated dismissal by September 24, 2025, and requested that all deadlines and hearings be stricken under Local Civil Rule 11(b).
Nejat’s lawsuit alleged that a senior flight attendant, who addressed his graduating class after their 2-month training at Delta’s headquarters, urged them not to support unionization efforts.
After the speech, the senior employee conducted what he called a uniform inspection. Nejat stated this escalated into “non-consensual, sexually assaultive touching,” including reaching inside his pants near his genitals and rubbing his chest.
The complaint further alleged that the same individual had assaulted numerous male new-hire flight attendants at other graduation ceremonies.
Nejat initially did not report the incident because he felt the individual was favored and protected within the company.
This perception was reinforced by the claim that the senior attendant had the authority to select which crew members appeared in future safety videos and promotional materials.
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Social Media Disclosures
In April 2024, Nejat posted anonymously, under a pseudonym, in a semi-private Facebook group for Delta flight attendants.
He criticized the airline’s anti-union stance, writing, “They yell at us and call us ungrateful pigs when we’re not pissing our pants from excitement that we got $1-$2 raises.”
Another flight attendant then referenced the senior employee accused of misconduct, noting his influence over high-visibility assignments.
Nejat responded, alleging that the individual “sexually harasses attractive male FAs via quid pro quo agreements to them in safety videos and promotional materials.”
Delta soon identified the posts as originating from Nejat. Once confronted, he formally reported the assault to the airline.
Delta’s Response and Termination
Delta asserted through its attorneys that it maintains “clear and well-disseminated policies against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation,” along with established procedures for reporting complaints.
The company stated it conducted an internal investigation but could not substantiate the allegations. Shortly afterward, Nejat was terminated, an action he argued was retaliatory.
In public statements, Nejat said the settlement “represents a step towards accountability and healing after a difficult period in my life,” noting that he hopes the case highlights the need for stronger union protections.
He added that he believes Delta prioritizes anti-union campaigning over the legal rights of flight attendants to report harassment or organize.
Future Plans
Since his termination from Delta, Nejat has secured a flight attendant position with another major US airline. He has stated that he intends to use the settlement funds to pursue law school.
The case underscores broader questions about reporting systems, retaliation risks, and workplace safety across the aviation industry.
It also highlights the ongoing tension between employee advocacy efforts and management positions on unionization in major airlines.
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