Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Passenger Claims Sexual Misconduct During United Flight, Crew Response Criticized
A woman said a man touched himself next to her on a United Airlines plane.
She said he looked at her while doing it.
The flight traveled from Rochester, New York, to Newark, New Jersey, on September 3.
She told the crew and moved away from him.
She said crew members let her stand for much of the flight.
Near landing, they reportedly told her to sit next to him again because there were no empty seats.
She said the crew did not call authorities or stop the man from leaving.
She later reported the incident to federal agencies and the airline, which said it is investigating.
A 25-year-old woman alleged that a man masturbated beside her while staring at her during a United Airlines flight.
The September 3 flight traveled from Rochester, New York, to Newark, New Jersey.
She said crew members let her stand but later told her to sit beside the man during landing.
The woman alleged that staff did not alert authorities or prevent the man from leaving the aircraft.
She reported the incident to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and United Airlines, which said it is investigating.
- Who
- A 25-year-old woman, an unidentified male passenger, United Airlines crew members, and United Airlines.
- What
- The woman alleged that the male passenger masturbated beside her while staring at her, and that the crew handled her complaint improperly.
- When
- The incident allegedly occurred on September 3 during a flight that departed at 6 a.m.
- Where
- On a United Airlines flight from Rochester, New York, to Newark, New Jersey.
- Why
- The woman said she reported the incident because she felt uncomfortable and believed the crew failed to respond appropriately.
Passenger’s Account
United Airlines’ Position
Crew response
Passenger’s Account
The woman said crew members ignored her concerns, asked her to sit beside the man again during landing, and told her to contact police herself.
United Airlines’ Position
United Airlines said it is investigating the incident but did not provide a detailed public account in the article.
Authorities and follow-up
Passenger’s Account
The woman said staff did not alert authorities or stop the man from leaving, prompting her to report the incident to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and United Airlines.
United Airlines’ Position
The Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation had not commented on the incident.
- Alleged incident
- A passenger said a man masturbated beside her while staring at her.
- Flight date
- September 3
- Flight route
- Rochester, New York, to Newark, New Jersey
- Passenger age
- 25
- Reported agencies
- Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Airline response
- United Airlines said it is investigating the incident.