How did Delta respond to the incident involving Matias Ferreira?

Delta Air Lines has apologized to Ferreira and taken "corrective actions" internally after the incident. However, Ferreira stated that the apology was "generic" and not signed.

Why did Matias Ferreira file a lawsuit against Delta Air Lines?

Ferreira filed the lawsuit to bring awareness about prosthetics and to show that "every person who wants to sit and can sit in that exit row seat and make a difference." His attorney, Norman Steiner, said the purpose of the lawsuit is to prevent similar occurrences from happening again.

Home / Business and Economy / Disabled Marine Veteran Sues Delta Over Humiliating Seat Removal

Disabled Marine Veteran Sues Delta Over Humiliating Seat Removal

Q: What happened to Matias Ferreira, the Marine veteran with prosthetic legs?

Matias Ferreira, a Marine veteran and police officer with prosthetic legs, was allegedly forced to move out of a Delta Air Lines plane's exit row before a flight out of New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport in May 2025.

14 Nov

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Summary

Marine veteran with prosthetic legs sues Delta over exit row seat removal
Delta apologizes and takes corrective actions after the incident
Veteran aims to raise awareness about discrimination against amputees

Disabled Marine Veteran Sues Delta Over Humiliating Seat Removal

On May 2025, Matias Ferreira, a 36-year-old Marine veteran and police officer with prosthetic legs, was allegedly forced to move out of a Delta Air Lines plane's exit row before a flight out of New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Ferreira, who lost his legs in 2011 while deployed in Afghanistan, has now filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming he was humiliated by the incident.

Despite informing the staff of his job credentials and previously sitting in the exit row, Ferreira was ultimately instructed to move to another seat due to his prosthetics. Delta has since apologized to Ferreira and taken "corrective actions" internally. However, Ferreira stated that the apology was "generic" and not signed, and he decided to file the lawsuit to bring awareness about prosthetics and show that "every person who wants to sit and can sit in that seat and make a difference."