Clearwater, Fla. — A woman who says she was pulled off an airplane and asked to take a sex toy out of her luggage after it started vibrating is suing Delta Air Lines, saying she was publicly humiliated.

Renee Koutsouradis, 36, said she was with her husband awaiting takeoff from Dallas in February when her name was called over the loudspeaker. She said she was met by a Delta security agent who told her something was vibrating in one of her bags. She said she explained it was an adult toy that she and her husband had just bought on a trip to Las Vegas.

She said the agent took her to the bag on the tarmac and made her remove the toy and hold it up, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday. Some passengers on the plane saw everything, and three male Delta employees "began laughing hysterically" and made "obnoxious and sexually harassing comments."

Ms. Koutsouradis was allowed to repack and return to her seat.

A spokeswoman for Delta would not comment on the specifics of the lawsuit.

"We have an obligation to protect the safety and security of passengers," said spokeswoman Katie Connell. "If there's anything questionable about a bag, we have a responsibility to investigate."

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, accusing Delta of negligence, intentional infliction of distress and gender discrimination.

Ms. Koutsouradis' lawyer, Brad Tobin, said Delta agents should have escorted her to a private area. "She was pretty horrified by the treatment," he said.

"She never contended that Delta doesn't have the right to investigate a security issue. It was their total lack of professionalism."