Barbara Morgan has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines after she says a man sexually assaulted her during a flight from San Francisco, California to Dallas in 2024. The woman says that shortly after the flight took off, the lights were dimmed and the man sitting next to her began to touch her. She says she tried to create distance between them but the man continued, undeterred. The complaint says, “He placed his hand on the plaintiff’s upper thigh, slid it up towards her vagina and fondled her genitals.” The complaint also says the man had an erection and put a bag on his lap to conceal it.
The lawsuit was filed on April 24, 2025, a year after the alleged event. The accused, Cherian Abraham, was reported to the airline previously for his behavior but was allowed to continue flying. He was arrested and charged with abusive sexual contact in three incidents of sexual abuse on airplanes, including the one against Morgan.
In the complaint, Morgan accuses the airline of negligence for failing to respond to her distress signals when she yelled “Stop,” more than once. She reported the event upon arrival at the gate.