A New Jersey woman has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines, alleging the airline failed to prevent and address a sexual assault that occurred on a flight from Charlotte, NC, to Newark Liberty International Airport on August 26, 2022.
According to the federal court documents filed last week, the assault took place during a night-time flight when the woman fell asleep. She later woke up to find an unknown male passenger’s hand inside her pants and his other hand forcing her hand onto his genitalia, the lawsuit claims.
The complaint describes how the assailant climbed on top of the woman and attempted to penetrate her. She managed to push him away, after which he returned to his seat and pretended nothing had happened, even offering her water while forcibly holding her hand, the suit alleges.
After the woman informed her friend and reported the incident to a flight attendant, she was moved to another seat. Upon landing, the man was escorted off the plane, and authorities took statements from the victim and witnesses. The lawsuit raises concerns about whether the assailant was detained or charged following the incident.
The lawsuit argues that American Airlines, aware of the increasing incidents of in-flight sexual assaults, failed in its duty to monitor and secure the cabin properly. Citing FBI data on similar cases, the suit asserts that the airline breached its duty of care by not preventing the assault or intervening promptly when it occurred.
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The woman’s attorney, Brian Andris, stated, “We look forward to seeking justice on behalf of our client to remedy this terrible injustice for all she has suffered.”
American Airlines still needs to respond to the lawsuit. The alleged perpetrator is not named as a defendant in the suit and does not have a lawyer in court records.
