American Airlines Sued Over In-Flight Assault Claims

Barbara Morgan has filed a federal lawsuit against American Airlines, alleging the airline allowed Cherian Abraham, a known repeat offender, to board a flight despite a history of in-flight sexual misconduct. Morgan claims Abraham assaulted her during an overnight flight in April 2024 and that airline staff failed to intervene even after she protested. The lawsuit accuses American Airlines of negligence and victim-blaming, as Morgan says she was dismissed and blamed for not acting sooner. Abraham, who has now been banned by the airline, was arrested and charged after allegedly groping another passenger in March 2025. Attorneys argue that the airline prioritized profits over passenger safety by not taking action following prior complaints. American Airlines states it is cooperating with law enforcement and maintains that customer safety is its top priority.