CHICAGO- Aundrea White alleges she was sexually assaulted twice on a United Airlines (UA) flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) in January 2024, prompting a lawsuit against the airline for failing to ensure her safety.
The incident highlights a 60% rise in reported in-flight sexual assaults since 2019, with alcohol often involved, raising concerns about airline accountability and crew training.
White’s experience underscores broader issues in aviation safety, as the FBI notes that 67% of such incidents involve alcohol and typically occur in confined seating arrangements.
Her lawsuit demands improved protocols to prevent such preventable incidents on United Airlines and at airports like O’Hare.
Photo: Greg Gayden | FlickrUnited Airlines In-Flight Sexual Assault
On a January 2024 United Airlines (UA) flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Diego International Airport (SAN), Aundrea White, an Ohio businesswoman, alleges she endured two sexual assaults by a male passenger seated next to her in the middle seat.
As White was stowing her belongings, the assailant allegedly grabbed her inappropriately. Despite her explicit warning not to touch her again, the man reportedly assaulted her a second time, this time causing a bruise.
White’s attempts to seek help from the flight crew were met with dismissal, with one attendant suggesting she was overreacting to normal contact on a full flight.
The lawsuit claims the crew failed to intervene effectively, only escorting the assailant to the jet bridge after persistent efforts, where he was later arrested by police. The offender, initially charged with criminal sexual abuse, pleaded guilty to a lesser battery charge.
White’s lawsuit details a lackluster response from United Airlines crew members. After her initial complaint, a flight attendant reportedly downplayed the incident, stating that physical contact was inevitable on a crowded plane.
When White reported the second assault, the crew attempted to relocate the assailant, but other passengers refused to sit next to him, complicating the situation.
Eventually, the crew escorted the man off the plane, but White argues this response was too late and inadequate.
Her attorney, Craig Tobin, asserts the incident was “avoidable and preventable,” criticizing United for failing to enforce policies that could have identified the assailant’s intoxication before boarding.
Photo: Cado PhotoWhy In-Flight Assaults Persist
The rise in in-flight sexual assaults is attributed to several factors, including increased air travel, flight delays, and relaxed oversight during boarding.
Cianfrani explains that busy flight crews may miss signs of intoxication, allowing problematic passengers to board. The FBI notes that the confined aircraft environment, combined with alcohol consumption, creates vulnerabilities, particularly for solo female travelers or those in middle seats.
White’s experience has fueled her advocacy for systemic change, urging airlines to prioritize passenger safety through better training and proactive measures. She remains frustrated, stating she is angrier at United Airlines for failing her than at the assailant himself.
Photo: wilco737 | FlickrUnited Airlines’ Response
United Airlines (UA) issued a statement asserting a “zero tolerance” policy for such behavior.
The airline noted that after White reported the incident, a crew member promptly directed the assailant to deplane while the aircraft was still at the gate at O’Hare (ORD), and local law enforcement was contacted, leading to the passenger’s arrest.
“We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior. After Ms. White alerted our crew to the alleged incident, a United employee promptly directed the accused passenger to deplane while the aircraft was still parked at the gate prior to departure. Our crew also requested assistance from local law enforcement, who then arrested the passenger.”
However, White and her attorney argue that United’s failure to screen the visibly intoxicated passenger before boarding reflects systemic negligence. The lawsuit seeks damages and calls for enhanced crew training and stricter adherence to federal regulations to prevent future incidents.
Photo: Andrew E. Cohen | FlickrRising Concerns Over In-Flight Safety
The FBI reports a 60% increase in in-flight sexual assault cases since 2019, with 104 incidents investigated in 2024 alone, though the actual number may be higher due to underreporting.
According to the FBI, 67% of these cases involve alcohol or drugs, with offenders typically male and seated next to their victims, often in middle or window seats.
The confined environment of an aircraft, especially during long flights or darkened cabins, creates opportunities for such misconduct.
White’s case aligns with this pattern, as she alleges the assailant appeared inebriated, a factor that federal regulations mandate airlines to address by prohibiting the boarding of visibly intoxicated passengers.
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