After Drinking 25 Beers, Drunk Passenger Assaults Woman on American Airlines Flight

An unidentified female American Airlines passenger is taking legal action against the airline, claiming that she was sexually assaulted on a service from London to Dallas last autumn after crew kept serving alcohol to an already drunk traveler. American Airlines has said that it’s “deeply troubled” by the incident.

An American Airlines (AA) passenger is taking legal action against the airline amid allegations that she was sexually assaulted on a London to Dallas service after crew did not stop serving an intoxicated traveler even more alcohol, NBC 5 reports. The unidentified woman is seeking $6 million in restitution as a result of the incident, which occurred on November 9^th, 2018.

The outlet reports that the woman and the unidentified male passenger at first engaged in a casual verbal exchange and that, according to her, he did not seem to be drunk. However, the situation soon escalated, with the man stating that he “drank up to 25 beers a day”.

Despite spilling wine on a member of cabin crew and making increasingly inappropriate remarks, the woman claims that the man was continuously offered more alcohol during the course of the flight.

The female passenger raised her concerns to the crew and returned to her seat. In an attempt to deter the man’s behavior, it was suggested that she pretend to sleep. However, the man continued to become more aggressive with her.

At one point, he is said to have placed a blanket over the woman, began touching her and even slid his hand up her thigh multiple times.

The passenger removed his hand and went to the toilet. When she returned, she observed that cabin crew were offering him more alcohol. She spoke to them about the man’s behavior a second time and was, at last, offered a different seat.

The outlet reports that he was escorted off of the flight upon arrival in Dallas, but was eventually released without charge.

Speaking of the incident, the woman said, “I cannot overemphasize the anxiety I feel prior to and during flights now.”

Offering its own statement on the incident, American said, “We want all of our customers to have a safe, positive travel experience with us. We are deeply troubled by any allegation of misconduct on-board our aircraft or at any of our facilities. If our crews discover or are told about any alleged illegal misconduct that may occur on the aircraft, law enforcement is contacted and will meet the aircraft upon arrival.”

“In all cases of misconduct between two passengers, we will immediately separate them, and request law enforcement meet the aircraft, which is our standard protocol. It is up to law enforcement to determine what, if any criminal activity, took place,” it added.

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