American Airlines is facing yet another legal challenge after a woman claimed the airline violated FAA regulations by letting a heavily intoxicated man board a flight — a decision she says led to her being sexually assaulted midair.

This new lawsuit comes as the airline is already dealing with multiple legal issues, including accusations of race and disability discrimination by a former flight attendant and a recent U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) order requiring American to invest $16.1 million in improving support for passengers with disabilities.

Woman Claims Airline Failed to Block Drunk Passenger

The latest complaint was filed by a 47-year-old woman from West Linn, Oregon. According to the lawsuit, the alleged assault happened on December 10, 2024, during a SkyWest flight operated for American Airlines. She was traveling from Missouri to Portland with a layover in Dallas.

Before boarding, the woman was having a drink at an airport café and chatting with another couple. A man soon joined them and continued ordering alcohol, becoming visibly intoxicated. He allegedly made inappropriate comments toward her, calling her “sexy” and “beautiful,” prompting her to walk away.

To her shock, she later discovered that not only had the intoxicated man been allowed to board the plane, but he had been seated directly beside her. Upon seeing her, the man reportedly said, “This is my lucky day.”

“I Need to Move Now!” — Woman Says Crew Ignored Her Pleas

According to the suit, the man began rubbing against her and touching her without consent. When she asked a flight attendant if she could change seats, she was initially told:

“Ma’am, we’re still in takeoff. You need to stay seated.”

But the woman insisted, saying:

“This man is completely on top of me, and I need to move now!”

Only then did the flight attendant react, relocating her to another seat and alerting the captain. The crew also prepared Dallas police to meet the aircraft. The flight attendant later reported that the same man had inappropriately touched her as well.

Police noted that the man was still noticeably intoxicated when the plane landed, describing him as unsteady, off balance, and smelling strongly of alcohol.

Records also indicate that the passenger had a history of criminal offences, including domestic assault, disorderly conduct, and driving under the influence.

Emotional and Physical Impact

Because of the incident, the woman missed her connecting flight and had to stay overnight in Dallas. In the months since, she claims to have suffered severe emotional and psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, sleep issues, fear of flying, and other long-term trauma.

American Airlines responded with a brief statement:
“The safety of our customers and team members is our highest priority. We are reviewing the complaint.”

The lawsuit accuses the airline of failing to properly train its staff, allowing a clearly intoxicated man to board, and failing to protect passengers from sexual misconduct.

⭐ What U.S. Law Says About Intoxicated Passengers

Under federal law (14 CFR § 121.575):

• Airlines cannot allow visibly intoxicated passengers to board.
• Passengers may only drink alcohol served by the airline.
• Crew members cannot serve alcohol to anyone who appears drunk.

In this case, multiple witnesses — including police — reported that the man was clearly intoxicated, raising questions about whether American Airlines and SkyWest violated federal regulations.

⭐ What Can Passengers Do If They Are Abused or Assaulted In-flight?

The DOT states that any form of sexual misconduct on aircraft is punishable under federal law.
The FAA also enforces a zero-tolerance policy against any behavior that disrupts crew duties or threatens other passengers.

If someone experiences abuse on a flight, they should:

✔ Report immediately to a flight attendant

✔ Seek help from airport law enforcement upon landing

✔ File a report with the FAA

✔ Contact the FBI for criminal incidents

The DOT provides forms for reporting both types of complaints.

For now, it remains uncertain whether the woman’s lawsuit will succeed, or if American Airlines will face penalties for allegedly failing to deny boarding to an intoxicated, disruptive passenger.