Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Senate Liaison and Caregiving Task Force Co-Chair Debbie Dingell (MI-06) led a letter to United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby demanding answers following reports that a 25-year-old woman was forced to return to her seat next to a man who allegedly performed a lewd sexual act while staring at her, despite her repeatedly alerting the flight crew. Twenty-eight members of the Democratic Caucus joined the letter.

Following the flight, United Airlines failed to call law enforcement on the passenger who allegedly sexually harassed the woman, saying it was her responsibility to request a police response. The woman was later offered a $100 credit for a $400 flight as compensation. This is not justice and it is not accountability. The man who was accused of performing lewd sexual acts was never investigated or charged by police as the airline continues to look into the incident.  

United Airline’s egregious mishandling of this incident not only brings into question the airline’s protocols for handling sexual misconduct, but raises concerns over if the safety and dignity of future women passengers is protected. The letter demands information on United Airline’s definition of sexual misconduct, how flight crews are required to respond to reports, and what steps the airline will take to strengthen its protocols and training to ensure women feel safe on flights.

In the letter, DWC Senate Liaison and Caregiving Task Force Co-Chair Debbie Dingell explained how the airline failed this woman during and after her flight: 

“Afterward, United Airlines merely awarded her an apology and a $100 credit– for a $400 trip. She has since filed a complaint against the airline and with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In follow-up emails, United employees described the lewd sexual act as behavior that caused her concern, rather than an act of sexual misconduct that is unacceptable regardless of who the man’s seatmate is.”

The Members highlighted the injustice in how United Airlines handled this incident and how it threatens the safety and dignity of all women flying: 

“This disgusting behavior is not a matter of personal disagreement between him and the woman who reported his behavior. Addressing this kind of behavior is essential to ensuring that women can live with safety and dignity. We call on United Airlines to do better, and to stand with survivors.”

Lastly, the Member concluded by demanding United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby send written responses by October 9, 2026 to the following questions:  

“1. How does United Airlines define sexual misconduct? Did this incident meet United’s definition of misconduct?  If not, is United willing to review and improve its current definition in coordination with experts in the field of sexual misconduct prevention and response?

2. Is it correct that the flight crew did not report this incident to law enforcement, make accommodations for the woman who reported the behavior, or address the offender directly? If so, why not? Does United have protocols in place to support individuals who report misconduct to the flight crew but do not wish to escalate the issue to law enforcement? 

3. What is the protocol for the flight crew on United Airlines and affiliate flights to respond to reports of in-flight sexual misconduct? How can United Airlines improve these protocols in order to enhance passenger safety? 

4. How does United Airlines plan to improve training for flight crews to ensure that they respond to future in-flight sexual misconduct reports in a timely, attentive manner that prioritizes the safety and dignity of passengers? 

5. How do you plan to make women feel safe on a United Airlines flight going forward?”

Read the full letter here.

The letter was signed by: Barragán, Nanette Diaz; Beatty, Joyce; Brown, Shontel M.; Chu, Judy; Crockett, Jasmine; Fernández, Teresa Leger; Fletcher, Lizzie; Friedman, Laura; Garcia, Sylvia R.; Grijalva, Adelita S.; Johnson, Henry C. "Hank", Jr.; Kaptur, Marcy; Khanna, Ro; Lynch, Stephen F.; McBride, Sarah; Meng, Grace; Norton, Eleanor Holmes; Pocan, Mark; Ramirez, Delia C.; Ross, Deborah K.; Salinas, Andrea; Simon, Lateefah; Stansbury, Melanie; Stevens, Haley M.; Tlaib, Rashida; Trahan, Lori; Williams, Nikema; Wilson, Frederica S.

###