United Airlines is reviewing an allegation that a man masturbated while staring at a female passenger on a Sept. 3 flight from Rochester to Newark. The 25-year-old passenger says she alerted crew members, spent much of the flight standing in the aisle, but was later told to return to her seat beside the alleged offender for landing. The man reportedly left the plane without being detained; United has offered a $100 travel credit and says it is investigating. The passenger has filed complaints with United, the FAA, and contacted the FBI.
United Investigating After Passenger Says Man Masturbated Beside Her On Flight; Airline Criticized Over Response
(Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
United Airlines is investigating an allegation that a man seated next to a passenger masturbated while staring at her during a Sept. 3 flight from Rochester, N.Y., to Newark Liberty International Airport. The passenger, a 25-year-old pediatric crisis therapist who asked not to be named, says she alerted flight attendants, spent much of the flight standing in the aisle, and was later instructed to return to the seat beside the alleged offender for landing.
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Passenger Account
According to the woman, the roughly one-hour flight departed at about 6 a.m. She described the man as approximately 35 to 40 years old, wearing hiking pants and a T-shirt, and said he began masturbating while looking directly at her. "I just got the sense [he] had done it before," she told reporters. "People don't just do those things at 6 a.m."
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Interaction With Crew And Airport Staff
After notifying cabin crew, the passenger says she was permitted to leave her seat and remained standing in the aisle for much of the flight. When the plane prepared for landing, she alleges crew members told her no other seats were available and instructed her to return beside the man despite her repeated objections. Because her seat was toward the back of the aircraft, she remained near the man while other passengers deplaned, and he reportedly left the plane without being questioned or detained.
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She says a gate agent responded to her report by asking, "What am I supposed to do about it?"
Airline Response And Follow-Up
United contacted the passenger by email, describing the incident as "behavior from another passenger that caused you concern" and issuing a $100 travel credit. The passenger said she paid roughly $400 for the trip and objected to what she called the airline's minimization of the incident. A United employee later acknowledged to her that proper protocols had not been followed.
Formal Complaints And Investigation
The passenger has filed complaints with United and the Federal Aviation Administration and has contacted the FBI. The FBI advises passengers who experience sexual misconduct aboard an aircraft to immediately notify flight crew so law enforcement can potentially meet the plane upon arrival. United says its internal review is ongoing and has not disclosed whether authorities were notified at the time of the incident.
Note: This report is based on the passenger's account and the airline's statement that it is investigating. Authorities' findings and any additional details have not been released publicly at this time.
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