Bay Area woman sues American Airlines for allowing known sexual predator on her flight

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A Bay Area woman is suing American Airlines, accusing the airline of allowing a known sexual predator to fly, which then turned her into a sexual assault victim.

In April 2024, Barbara Morgan says she was flying from San Francisco to Dallas on an American Airlines red-eye flight to visit her son. However, in a lawsuit filed Wednesday against American Airlines, Morgan says her experience soured when she claims she was sexually assaulted by a passenger next to her.

Morgan said she was touched inappropriately across her body. She said she yelled at the man to stop but was too scared to alert flight attendants.

“I was distraught, it was dark, it was past midnight, people had masks on, earmuffs on, no one can hear me, and I felt I was sitting in silence,” Morgan said.

Once the flight landed, Morgan said she told a gate agent, but airline staff said they couldn’t do anything post-flight. Morgan says she filed a complaint but never received help.

Morgan eventually filed the suit because she claims the airline knew about the previous abuse allegations against 54-year-old Cherian Abraham but still allowed him to book a flight.

“Where’s my protection? Why don’t they care? I was just a number. I’m speaking because no woman needs to feel unsafe on a flight,” Morgan said.

At the end of March, the FBI charged Abraham with abusive sexual contact for repeatedly touching another woman on an American Airlines flight from Chicago to Seattle — citing multiple allegations from other flights in addition to Morgan’s.

The safety of our customers and team members is our highest priority. We take this matter very seriously and are working closely with law enforcement on its investigation.
American Airlines

“He got away with it, I was ashamed, angry and so frustrated. I reported what happened because I believed that American Airlines would take me seriously, but they blamed me,” Morgan said.

American Airlines says Abraham is banned from flying with them, and they are cooperating with investigators. The case is set to go to trial in August.