United Airlines is facing a lawsuit from Aundrea White, an Ohio businesswoman, who claims she was sexually assaulted twice during a flight from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to San Diego International Airport in January 2024. White alleges that the airline did not take sufficient action to protect her.
The incident began shortly after boarding when a male passenger allegedly grabbed White between her legs. After reporting the assault to a flight attendant, she was told she was "out of touch with reality" and that passengers were likely to bump into each other on a full plane. Despite this dismissal, when the man assaulted her again, leaving a bruise, White's calls for help resulted in the offender being escorted off the aircraft and arrested.
United Airlines responded by stating, "We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior. After Ms. White alerted our crew to the alleged incident, a United employee promptly directed the accused passenger to deplane the aircraft while it was still parked at the gate prior to departure. Our crew also requested the assistance of local law enforcement, who then arrested the passenger."