Predator on the Plane: Woman Sues American Airlines After Alleged Sexual Assault by Known Offender
NAPLES, FL—A Florida woman is taking a high-profile stand against American Airlines, claiming the carrier was negligent in failing to protect her from a passenger who allegedly sexually assaulted her mid-flight. The lawsuit reveals that the accused man had a prior documented history of in-flight misconduct, which the airline allegedly ignored.
The plaintiff, Barbara Morgan, a resident of Naples, Florida, filed the lawsuit in federal court. It focuses on a pivotal question: how much responsibility do airlines bear for failing to ban known predators from their flights?
The Details of the Alleged Assault
The incident occurred on an overnight flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Dallas (DFW) in April 2024. Morgan was seated in a middle seat next to the alleged assailant, identified in the lawsuit as Texas resident Cherian Abraham.
- The Allegation: The suit alleges that after the cabin lights were dimmed, Abraham began making unwanted physical contact with Morgan, including touching her torso, thighs, and genitals.
- Lack of Crew Intervention: Morgan claims she yelled “Stop!” but received no assistance from the flight crew, alleging they were either asleep, had headphones on, or were unwilling to intervene in the dark cabin. She ran to the lavatory, terrified, and reported the incident after landing.
- Airline Response: Morgan claims that upon reporting the assault, she was repeatedly dismissed by American Airlines employees, who advised her to file an online complaint and later accused her of failing to speak up mid-flight.
The Negligence Claim
The core of the lawsuit is the claim that American Airlines was negligent by allowing Cherian Abraham to fly in the first place. Morgan’s legal team alleges the airline had prior knowledge of a 2023 sexual assault complaint against Abraham but failed to place him on a “do not fly” list or take any precautions to protect other passengers.
The lawsuit further notes that Abraham was federally charged in March 2025 with sexually assaulting another female passenger on a different American Airlines flight, demonstrating a disturbing pattern of serial misconduct that the airline had several opportunities to stop.
Morgan’s suit demands a jury trial and seeks to hold both Abraham and American Airlines accountable for negligence, fraudulent concealment, and gender violence.
Conclusion
Barbara Morgan’s lawsuit against American Airlines highlights the severe, ongoing problem of in-flight sexual assault and challenges the industry’s response to it. The key issue is whether airlines have sufficiently honored their “duty of care” to protect passengers from known risks. This case is part of a growing trend of litigation where victims are demanding that major carriers prioritize safety over convenience and profitability by taking immediate, firm action against passengers who have a documented history of threatening or assaulting others.
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Disclaimer
This report is based on the civil lawsuit filed against American Airlines and the reported statements from the plaintiff and her legal counsel. Cherian Abraham is presumed innocent until proven guilty in the criminal case. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, readers should refer to official statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which is investigating the criminal charges.
