Delta Air Lines has terminated 15 employees at Miami International Airport (MIA) after an internal investigation into potential irregularities concerning the handling of its flights to Cuba. This situation has now escalated into a lawsuit alleging workplace discrimination.
The investigation scrutinized the Miami to Havana flights, focusing on seat assignments at boarding gates, payment handling for excess baggage, and ticket sales through travel agencies, as detailed by the specialized site Paddle Your Own Kanoo.
Among those dismissed is Annette Feliciano, a Puerto Rican who had dedicated 27 years to Delta, serving as a Red Coat employee responsible for overseeing boarding and managing flight departures.
Feliciano was regularly involved in Delta's Miami operations, including flights to Havana. She claims that in May 2025, she was summoned to a meeting and accused of irregular collaboration with travel agencies selling tickets to Cuba.
According to Feliciano, an audit found no misconduct on her part, yet the scrutiny of her and other Latino employees connected to Cuban flights persisted.
Among the concerns raised by her supervisors was the cash handling for excess baggage payments, a practice Feliciano described as common among some passengers traveling to Cuba.
She was also questioned about accepting coffee or pastries from travelers. Feliciano stated she was aware of the prohibition against receiving monetary compensation from passengers, but was unaware of any rule against accepting food or drinks.
Subsequently, she was suspended without pay, relinquished her identification, and learned months later of her termination. Her lawsuit claims that 14 other employees were also dismissed, with 13 of them being Latino.
Feliciano now accuses Delta of racial and age discrimination, retaliation, and fostering a hostile work environment. The lawsuit argues that she endured discriminatory remarks, disproportionate scrutiny, unequal treatment, and unfounded accusations during her employment.
The case, titled Feliciano v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., was filed on September 30 in the Southern District of Florida Federal Court after being moved from a Miami-Dade state court. It is assigned to Federal Judge Darrin P. Gayles.
Delta has yet to publicly clarify the specific reasons for terminating Feliciano and the other employees, while the former employee maintains that any justification provided by the company would merely be a cover for illegal discrimination.
This development occurs as Delta continues to operate a daily flight between Miami and Havana. The airline previously ran two daily connections on this route in 2025 but has since scaled back its frequency.
Questions About Delta's Employee Termination and Legal Case
What was the reason behind Delta's investigation at Miami International Airport?
Delta conducted an investigation focusing on potential irregularities in the management of flights to Cuba, including seat assignments, excess baggage payments, and ticket sales through travel agencies.
Who is Annette Feliciano in relation to Delta's case?
Annette Feliciano is a former Delta employee with 27 years of service, who was dismissed following the investigation. She has filed a lawsuit against Delta alleging workplace discrimination.
What are the allegations in Annette Feliciano's lawsuit against Delta?
Feliciano's lawsuit accuses Delta of racial and age discrimination, retaliation, and creating a hostile work environment, claiming she faced discriminatory comments and unequal treatment.