United Airlines is investigating a reported in-flight sexual misconduct incident on a United Express service from Rochester, New York, to Newark Liberty International Airport after a 25-year-old passenger alleged that the man seated next to her masturbated while staring at her. The carrier’s public response came after the Sept. 3 flight, and the case has drawn attention because the aircraft was operated by a United Express partner and the passenger later received a $100 flight credit.
The woman said she alerted cabin crew during the roughly one-hour flight and was then made to stand in the galley or wait there before being told to return to her seat for landing because no other seats were available. She has filed complaints with United, the Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI, though no law-enforcement outcome has been confirmed.
United apologised to the customer and described safety as its top priority while it reviews the report. The incident adds another customer-service and oversight issue for the airline’s regional operations, where responsibility is split between the mainline brand and its operating partner, Republic Airways.