Delta Air Lines has issued a formal apology to a decorated Marine veteran and police officer after he was allegedly forced to move from an aeroplane's exit row because of his prosthetic legs.
The Incident and Legal Action
Matias Ferreira, a 36-year-old from Long Island, has filed a lawsuit against the airline concerning an incident that occurred in May before a flight departing from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. The legal action claims that despite informing cabin crew of his profession and past experience in exit rows, he was instructed to relocate.
Ferreira, who serves with the Suffolk County Police Department, lost both his legs in 2011 after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) while deployed in Afghanistan. Following his injury, he demonstrated immense resilience by joining the police academy and has served for a decade.
Delta's Response and Passenger Outcry
A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines confirmed the company had apologised to Ferreira. 'Delta immediately looked into this situation, apologised to the customer, issued a refund and compensation and took appropriate corrective actions internally,' the representative stated. The airline also highlighted its 'decades-long record of championing accessible travel.'
However, Ferreira described the apology on Facebook as a 'Generic' letter that was 'Not signed.' He clarified that Delta's own policy does not prohibit passengers with prosthetics from exit rows. The ordeal, he said, was humiliating. 'I felt like I was viewed as a liability, not as a United States Marine, not as a police officer, not as a father of two,' he told the New York Post.
A Broader Mission for Awareness
Ferreira's attorney, Norman Steiner, who is representing the veteran pro bono, explained the lawsuit's purpose is to prevent similar incidents. He described the event as a 'devastating blow' and a 'spiritual amputation' for his client.
Ferreira emphasised that his goal is to spread awareness about modern prosthetics and challenge outdated perceptions. 'I’m here to spread love and positivity in our community,' he wrote, dedicating his action to veterans and children with disabilities who have been told they 'couldn’t do something.'
In a poignant discovery, Ferreira noted that on his return flight, the safety pamphlet in the seat pocket featured an illustration of a person with a prosthetic leg assisting in an emergency, seemingly contradicting the crew's actions. His legal team stated that the primary desire is for better crew training to ensure this does not happen again.
