Dallas-Bound Passenger Sues American Airlines Over In-Flight Sexual Assault

A Texas woman has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines, claiming she was sexually assaulted during a flight by a man who had previously been reported to the airline for similar behavior.

Last week, Barbara Morgan initiated a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The lawsuit alleges that American Airlines did not respond to previous complaints regarding Cherien Abraham, a Texas resident seated next to the complainant during a flight from San Francisco to Dallas in April 2024.

A lawsuit has emerged detailing that Morgan, en route to Dallas to commemorate her son's new employment, was assigned a middle seat adjacent to Abraham. During the flight, a woman reported being sexually assaulted, calling out "Stop!" to the alleged assailant, Abraham, but received no assistance from flight attendants.

Morgan reported that she informed a gate agent about the incident upon landing, but faced inquiries regarding her decision not to voice her concerns during the flight. She expressed concerns about potential retaliation and disruption for other passengers, particularly in the event of a plane rerouting. An agent informed her that no further action could be taken and recommended that she submit a complaint online, as stated in the complaint.

Morgan made several attempts to engage with American Airlines, reaching out multiple times and even addressing senior leadership directly. However, these efforts were met with silence, and Morgan was subsequently blamed for not raising the issue earlier.

Attorney Patrick Driscoll of Romanucci & Blandin, representing Morgan, stated that Abraham has now been charged with assaulting three additional female passengers on separate flights. Driscoll also accused American Airlines of failing to heed evident warning signs.

Driscoll stated that the airline received multiple warnings. “Rather than safeguarding passengers, they overlooked the victims.”

Morgan characterized the experience as profoundly traumatic. “I felt paralyzed, invisible,” she stated. “Upon reporting the incident, I found myself facing blame.” The lingering effects of that shame continue to haunt me.

She stated, “I’m sharing my story to ensure that other women do not experience the silence that I endured.” Corporations are urged to improve their practices.