A seasoned flight attendant with years of experience claims that she was replaced by younger women on private jets used by SpaceX executives and subsequently fired after receiving a cancer diagnosis, as outlined in a recent lawsuit.
Lydia Fillip, 60, trained at the British Butler Institute of London, asserts in her lawsuit that SpaceX Chief Pilot Conner Grey favored a younger blonde and brunette over her for flights.
According to the suit, Fillip was hired in 2023 at a rate of $800 per day to operate flights from SpaceX’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California, to its offices in Texas. She alleges that her shifts were reduced, and less seasoned attendants were brought in to fill the gaps.
The lawsuit claims that Delainy Reyes, a woman in her early 20s, along with Stacy Brown, who is in her thirties, received “markedly more work” after Grey took charge of the schedule in February 2025.
Moreover, the suit accuses Grey of engaging in a sexual relationship with Brown, which had become increasingly apparent to the rest of the team during their shifts.
Despite Fillip’s extensive private jet experience, the two younger attendants were reportedly assigned the coveted Gulfstream flights that transported SpaceX executives, including Elon Musk.
Interestingly, Fillip was also mentioned as a potential witness in the high-profile divorce case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, having observed an alleged incident on their private plane, although she ultimately didn’t testify.
Fillip pointed to the hiring of Kelly Doak in July 2024, claiming that the 22-year-old lacked relevant experience. Her background was said to include roles as a door-to-door salesperson and a fitness instructor.
The lawsuit describes Doak as part of a trend where young, conventionally attractive attendants were hired with minimal aviation experience, which Fillip argues is a risky practice given their responsibility for passenger safety.
Allegations in the suit include that Doak left a service cart unattended without brakes, posing a potential hazard to everyone on board.
Fillip, diagnosed with stage-four melanoma in December 2024, worked through her immunotherapy until April 2025 when she informed Grey that she needed to take medical leave.
She was granted medical clearance to return to work in May 2025, yet she claims she received only a few trips up to September before being let go over the phone. During this call, Fillip alleges that Grey expressed discontent with her attitude and ended the conversation rather unceremoniously.
Both SpaceX and Grey are named as defendants in the lawsuit, where Fillip seeks economic compensation for damages, emotional distress, and a trial by jury.
The California Post reached out to SpaceX and Grey for their comments.
