San Francisco, CA — A California woman has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines, alleging she was sexually assaulted mid-flight by fellow passenger Cherian Abraham, a Texas tech executive, with a reported history of in-flight sexual misconduct. The lawsuit claims the airline failed to protect her and other passengers despite prior reports against Abraham.
Barbara Morgan says the assault occurred during a red-eye flight from San Francisco to Dallas on April 24, 2024. According to the complaint, Abraham allegedly groped her repeatedly, including placing his hand between her thighs. Despite her protests, no airline staff intervened. Morgan reported feeling afraid to speak up during the flight and says she was later criticized by airline personnel for not reporting the incident sooner.
The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco, accuses American Airlines of negligence, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and fraudulent concealment. It argues that the airline knew or should have known about Abraham’s history of misconduct and failed to take appropriate action…