Two New Civil Lawsuits Filed for Sexual Assault of Female Passengers on American Airlines and United Airlines

Complaints raise concerns about this silent problem in the skies

CHICAGO (October 8, 2025) – From the moment an airline passenger steps on a jetway to board a plane, they should feel safe. From pre-flight safety instructions to signs mandating that passengers fasten their seatbelts, airlines have numerous ways to ensure passenger safety and trust. What many female passengers may not realize, however, especially those on overnight flights, is that their safety is at risk and they should be deeply concerned about being sexually assaulted by fellow passengers in flight, and that airlines fail in protecting passengers from that trauma. Commercial airline carriers have a heightened duty of care to keep passengers safe; yet, the airlines frequently breach this responsibility for female passengers.

Thanks to the bravery of recent survivors of in-flight abuse, the country is becoming more aware that airlines know there is a very real risk of sexual assault and yet choose to operate a culture that enables sexual predators, silences survivors, and treats safety warnings as public relations problems rather than urgent threats.  For nearly a decade, the FBI has communicated directly with the airlines about the growing risk of in-flight sexual assaults and the associated trends. According to the FBI, offenders are typically male and 67% of the time are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (often served on the airplane itself). Victims are typically female and traveling alone. Despite the presence of bystanders and witnesses, only 38% of offenders are federally charged or convicted.

Romanucci & Blandin, a nationally recognized civil rights trial firm, has filed two lawsuits to hold major airlines accountable for failing to protect passengers from sexual assault. One case is against American Airlines, and the other is against United Airlines.

Earlier this year, the firm filed suit on behalf of American Airlines passenger Barbara Morgan, who was sexually assaulted on an overnight red-eye flight by a man with a known history of similar misconduct. American Airlines had previously received a complaint about his behavior, but failed to take protective action. The assailant now faces criminal charges.

In the Morgan case and in this new case against United Airlines, Romanucci & Blandin represents the plaintiff along with California-based sexual assault firm Nadrich Law Corporation and The Law Offices of Michael A. Kahn.

In each of these civil complaints, the brave clients are willing to share their names and not use a Jane Doe pseudonym because they feel it is important to tell their stories to increase awareness and advocacy for survivors of this type of abuse.

Lawsuit: Marykate Burns v. United Airlines

Case Background

Marykate Burns was sexually assaulted by an intoxicated United Airlines passenger, who was overserved alcohol onboard the United Airlines red-eye flight 1759 from Kona, Hawaii, to Denver, Colorado.  On November 2, 2024, the male passenger who later assaulted Marykate was visibly intoxicated and belligerent while boarding the aircraft. Despite his behavior, United Airlines’ gate agent and crew still permitted him to board and take his seat. Marykate was initially seated in an otherwise vacant row in the Economy section when she fell asleep with a sleep mask covering her eyes. Many fellow passengers were asleep or wearing headphones. She woke to find a male passenger, visibly and odorously intoxicated, on top of her and his hands were touching her buttocks and vaginal area. Marykate briefly froze out of shock and fear. The man then stroked Marykate’s shoulder and instructed her to be quiet, saying “shhhh.” Marykate pushed the man’s hand away and eventually she managed to unbuckle her seatbelt and escape from the man and out of her seat, running to the bathroom. None of the flight crew intervened during the assault. After escaping from the man, Marykate reported the assault to multiple flight attendants. Only one offered to help and reseated Marykate, who was still approached repeatedly in her new seat by the intoxicated assailant seven more times, who would stand above her and stare down at her.  It wasn’t until the fourth interaction that the flight crew started to intervene. Eventually, other passengers on the plane began to notice and understand that the drunken assailant was assaulting Marykate. Two male passengers volunteered to sit on both sides of the male passenger who had assaulted Marykate to prevent him from moving.

When Flight 1759 landed, Marykate disembarked alone. No flight attendant offered help or assistance in making a report. When Marykate deplaned and entered the Denver International Airport terminal, Marykate approached a security officer to tell him what had happened. The drunken assailant admitted that he assaulted Marykate but claimed that he was asleep and it was an accident. Ultimately, airport authorities let the drunken assailant go, saying it was her word against his. Upon information and belief, United Airlines failed to provide authorities with any information regarding the assault.

United Airlines Publicly Claims to have a “Zero Tolerance” Policy for Sexual Harassment While Systemically Enabling Sexual Assaults Onboard its Aircraft

In 2017, United Airlines’ former CEO, Oscar Munoz, wrote an internal letter to all United Airlines employees addressing concerns about sexual harassment among United Airlines employees. In it, the CEO noted that he and “more than 90,000 United team members around the world, [ ] adamantly believe that sexual harassment, inappropriate behavior, intimidation or predation have absolutely no place anywhere in our society — including, and especially, in our industry and on our aircraft.”

Yet, contrary to their alleged zero tolerance, United Airlines routinely allows intoxicated passengers to board their planes and routinely sells and overserves alcohol to passengers on their planes. As a result, intoxicated passengers on United Airlines flights have sexually assaulted other passengers or otherwise caused dangerous disruptions in flight.

Lawsuit Details

The lawsuit was filed on September 24, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The complaint demands a jury trial.

The plaintiff is represented by the Chicago-based national trial law firm Romanucci & Blandin, LLC and Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci, Partner Daisy Ayllón, Senior Attorney Sarah M. Raisch and Attorney Patrick J. Driscoll. Co-Counsel Nadrich Law Corporation and the Law Offices of Michael A. Kahn provided valuable contributions.

Claims in the lawsuit include:

• Negligence
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
• Fraudulent Concealment

“Regulation for airlines, 14 CFR §135.121(c), states that: ‘No certificate holder may allow any person to board any of its aircraft if that person appears to be intoxicated,’ for the protection of crew and passengers, yet for Marykate Burns, this clear safety standard was violated. Airline carriers have a high duty of care to ensure passenger safety, not only getting them to their destination, but getting them there without the trauma of experiencing sexual abuse. This lawsuit seeks to hold United Airlines accountable not only for the harm inflicted on Marykate but for the systemic failures that enabled it. United Airlines must answer for their deliberate, profit-seeking decisions that led to Marykate being sexually assaulted on their watch,” said Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci, Romanucci & Blandin.

“When will airlines finally believe women and take the safety of female passengers seriously? A safe flight should not depend on a woman’s courage to beg for help. What happened to Marykate Burns was completely avoidable, and now she suffers the consequences of lasting emotional harm. Creating a safe travel environment is not asking too much of airlines - they can and must do better,” said Senior Attorney Sarah M. Raisch, Romanucci & Blandin.

“I share my story because the harm of sexual assault doesn’t end when the assault stops. This whole experience has completely flipped my world around. It has affected my health, my relationships and my sense of safety. One of the most difficult parts has been losing the independence I once had. Things that once felt ordinary, like traveling and being alone, feel overwhelmingly unsafe. I now rely on the presence of loved ones just to feel safe and secure,” said Plaintiff Marykate Burns. “When I reported my assault, I thought it would bring protection. Instead, I was left to protect myself while trapped thousands of feet above the ocean. The delay in immediate protection during the assault has deeply traumatized me. My hope is that with accountability and real change, assaults can be prevented, and no one is ever left vulnerable because of negligence. Passengers should be reassured that if something bad does happen, there are clear and immediate protocols in place to protect them. Predators rely on silence, so I'm going to heal out loud.”

Lawsuit: Renee Solofra v. American Airlines

Case Background

Renee Solofra was sexually assaulted by a male passenger while seated beside him on American Airlines Flight 1929 departing O’Hare International Airport for Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, Florida, on September 25, 2023. Although visibly intoxicated and smelling of alcohol, the male passenger was allowed on the plane and was repeatedly served alcohol by an American Airlines flight attendant who also flirted with him. Renee, who had been assigned a middle seat, was trapped between a sleeping passenger by the window and this drunk male passenger, who was seated on the aisle. During the flight, this male passenger dropped a cookie into Renee’s lap, made provocative comments, grabbed her neck, and forcibly pulled her closer. Despite Renee telling him to stop, he escalated his assault by groping and squeezing her breast twice. Another passenger eventually intervened, but the assault left Renee terrified, humiliated, and traumatized. No flight attendants intervened despite the audible disturbance.

Upon landing, Renee immediately reported the assault to an American Airlines gate attendant and was escorted to law enforcement. The male passenger later pleaded guilty to the assault before he died.  Renee’s account of the sexual assault was witnessed and corroborated in a sworn statement to the Lee County Port Authority Police Department by another American Airlines passenger. American Airlines’ conduct, including overserving an already intoxicated passenger, ignoring the safety risks he posed to Renee, and failing to take meaningful steps to ensure Renee’s safety, reflects a broader culture of indifference to in-flight sexual assaults. Instead of prioritizing passenger safety, American Airlines enabled this passenger’s misconduct and left Renee to suffer the consequences.

American Airlines was on Notice Regarding the Prevalence of Sexual Assaults

American Airlines has a documented history of disregarding victims while enabling known or suspected sexual predators, while claiming to put safety first. Its Standards of Business Conduct promise to “protect the health and safety of our colleagues and customers.” Employees are told to “perform your job with the highest regard for safety” and to report anything that might compromise it. In reality, American Airlines has repeatedly failed to take allegations of sexual assault seriously—particularly when those allegations are raised by women, failing to act on their concerns. Furthermore, American Airlines has demonstrated a pattern and practice of failing to monitor the cabins of their aircraft to prevent sexual assault. American Airlines has a duty to protect passengers, including Renee, from assault and other harmful conduct by fellow passengers while aboard flights.

Lawsuit Details

The lawsuit was filed on September 24, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The complaint demands a jury trial.

The plaintiff is represented by the Chicago-based national trial law firm Romanucci & Blandin, LLC and Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci, Partner Daisy Ayllón, Senior Attorney Sarah M. Raisch and Attorney Patrick J. Driscoll.

Claims in the lawsuit include:

• Negligence
• Fraudulent Concealment
• Violation of Gender Violence Act

“Long before Renee’s assault, the airline industry was on notice that in-flight sexual assault is a serious and recurring problem, even if it has remained largely invisible to the public. The reality is that these assaults overwhelmingly involve men targeting women, and more than half are committed by intoxicated passengers. That is a risk the airlines can control and must control. These carriers have a duty to do so. We call on American Airlines and every carrier to stop minimizing this danger and take meaningful action to protect female passengers from assault in the skies,” said Partner Daisy Ayllón, Romanucci & Blandin.

“Airlines may ignore the dangers of letting intoxicated passengers board, but the courts do not. Federal courts have recognized that ‘regulation favors caution over accuracy by requiring ten sober persons who merely appear intoxicated to be denied boarding rather than allowing one intoxicated person to board.' It is time for airlines to honor their duty of caution and protect the safety of their passengers,” said Attorney Patrick J. Driscoll, Romanucci & Blandin.

“On that flight, my safety was stolen from me. I was sexually assaulted thousands of feet in the air, trapped in a place where there was nowhere to run, limited choices and no one who protected me. It was preventable, and it should never have happened. American Airlines, airlines and airports cannot turn a blind eye to the dangers their passengers face when oversight fails and the choice is made to intentionally overserve.  While my safety was stolen, my voice no longer has been and I’m speaking out because silence only protects those who cause harm,” said Plaintiff Renee Solofra.

About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death. For 25 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients - many for millions of dollars and others record-setting awards.  Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors differentiate our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We are different from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured.  We are often inspired by our clients’ experiences and commit resources to create change in our communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.

About Nadrich Law Corporation

With 17 locations throughout California, Nadrich Law Corporation and its legal team have recovered more than $750 million on behalf of clients. Our experience includes Airline Sexual Assaults, Uber & Lyft Sexual Assaults, Clergy Abuse Claims as well as all aspects of personal injury. The law firm and its legal team handle cases throughout California and nationwide. For additional information about Nadrich Law Corporation please visit www.personalinjurylawcal.com. For media inquiries, please contact the firm directly at 800-718-4658 or via email at info@personalinjurylawcal.com.

About the Law Offices of Michael A. Kahn

The Law Offices of Michael A. Kahn has been dedicated to zealous representation of personal injury victims for nearly 40 years, operating throughout California. Specializing in personal injury claims we have a proven track record of success. Our office has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims, going up against defendants large and small. Attorneys Michael Kahn and Jeffrey Garfinkel are available to help you in your time of need. Our office can be reached at (310) 209-1600, via email at info@MichaelKahnLaw.com or on our website at www.MichaelKahnLaw.com.