Dingell Presses United Airlines CEO After Continued Mishandling of Sexual Harassment on Flights

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-06) is calling for answers from United Airlines regarding reports of another incident of sexual harassment involving a woman seated next to a man who allegedly performed a lewd sexual act beside her. Reports indicate that no flight crew members assisted the woman, forcing her to climb over the alleged assailant’s seat to seek help. The staff eventually moved the woman to another seat but did not alert authorities about the sexual act. In its response, United confirmed that it is opening an investigation but is not required to report passenger sexual misconduct to police or a federal agency. “This second incident raises serious questions about United’s sexual misconduct protocol and its commitment to passenger safety, specifically the safety of women,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “ United’s claim in its written response that they are working to strengthen its policies and training protocols is not enough. It is past time for United to have ‘conversations in their leadership meetings,’ as a customer service supervisor told the San Diego passenger. We need action, and we need it now.” The Congresswoman continued, “Incidents like these are not exclusive to United, and sexual misconduct is a broader issue across the airline industry that demands attention and accountability. That is why I will be introducing legislation to strengthen passenger protections and ensure airlines take appropriate action in response to sexual misconduct. Addressing this kind of behavior is essential to ensuring that women can travel with safety and dignity. Airlines must do better.” Last month, Congresswoman Dingell led a letter with the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) demanding answers about a similar alleged assault that took place on another United Airlines flight. The airline responded in a letter stating that the company is looking into the matter. Congresswoman Dingell announced she is drafting new legislation to strengthen passenger protections and ensure airlines take appropriate action in response to sexual misconduct. A copy of the follow-up letter to United Airlines can be found HERE and text is below: Dear Mr. Kirby and Ms. Fariello: This letter is regarding the second reported incident in less than a month involving a United Airlines passenger subjected to a passenger’s lewd behavior and an inadequate response from the airline. On a recent United flight from San Diego to Newark, a woman reported the misconduct to the flight crew and had to ask multiple times to change seats. Afterward, she was not given any guidance about reporting the incident until she contacted United herself days later. This follows reports from last month about a nearly identical incident, which I addressed in a letter to United alongside the Democratic Women’s Caucus on October 6, 2026. In its October 16, 2026, response, United provided an insufficient explanation, largely deferring responsibility for the incident to their regional partner, Republic Airways, who operated the flight, despite their own admission that Republic is under United’s operational control. This second incident raises serious questions about United’s sexual misconduct protocol and its commitment to passenger safety, specifically the safety of women. United’s claim in its written response that they are working to strengthen its policies and training protocols is not enough. It is past time for United to have “conversations in their leadership meetings,” as a customer service supervisor told the San Diego passenger. We need action, and we need it now. Incidents like these are not exclusive to United, and sexual misconduct is a broader issue across the airline industry that demands attention and accountability. That is why I will be introducing legislation to strengthen passenger protections and ensure airlines take appropriate action in response to sexual misconduct. Addressing this kind of behavior is essential to ensuring that women can travel with safety and dignity. Airlines must do better. Please provide a written response by Friday October 30, 2026, detailing the concrete steps United will take to improve flight crews’ response to sexual misconduct incidents, including how they can more meaningfully support passengers who report inappropriate behavior. Thank you for your attention to this matter.