A US woman has sued American Airlines for failing to prevent a sexual assault she experienced by a fellow passenger on a flight. As per the woman’s claim, a stranger sexually assaulted her mid-air during a nighttime flight with the airline in 2022. In her lawsuit, the woman mentioned that American Airlines bears responsibility for not ensuring passenger safety and well-being on board.
Woman Sues American Airlines After Fellow Passenger Sexually Assaults Her
A US woman has alleged that she was sexually assaulted on an American Airlines flight by a stranger. As per a Hindustan Times report, the incident took place during a nighttime American Airlines flight from Charlotte, North Carolina to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on August 26, 2022. The woman blames the airline for failing to prevent the attack and ensuring passenger safety.
In the lawsuit, the woman shared the harrowing experience in detail. The woman, reportedly, fell asleep after the plane took off. However, she woke up to find a stranger’s arm inside her pants and his other hand forcing hers onto his penis. To conceal the assault, the perpetrator covered them both with a jacket. The woman has claimed that the man “digitally penetrated” her while she slept.
The man then, reportedly, climbed on top of the woman and attempted to “penetrate her with his penis, which he was partially able to do.” The woman then was finally able to gather some courage and push the man off. He then quickly returned to his seat. The perpetrator, allegedly, noticed a flight attendant and pretended as if nothing happened. The woman then woke her friend and reported the incident to a flight attendant on the American Airlines flight. The crew switched the woman’s seat for the rest of the flight.
Blames Airline For Not Ensuring Passenger Safety
The airport authorities spoke to the victim and other witnesses of the attack. However, it is still “unknown whether the perpetrator was taken into custody or charged with the sexual assault” of the woman. Keeping this in mind, the woman decided to sue American Airlines as she felt that the airline “owed a duty of care” to ensure the passenger’s safety during the journey.
As per an extract from the lawsuit, “American Airlines breached its duty of care by failing to properly monitor the cabin, failing to prevent the sexual assault, and failing to promptly intervene when the assault occurred.”
In response, the Hindustan Times reported that an American Airlines spokesperson said that they are reviewing the lawsuit and the details of the flight. They also mentioned that the safety and comfort of their customers is a top priority.
The growing cases of assaults on flights are very concerning. We hope airlines across the world are able to come up with a way to ensure passenger safety mid-air.
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