NEW DELHI / NEW YORK — A female passenger traveling with Etihad Airways has come forward with allegations of sexual assault, accusing a heavily intoxicated co-passenger of attacking her while she was asleep. The woman also leveled serious charges against the flight’s cabin crew, claiming they prioritized alcohol service over passenger safety and later attempted to “cover up” the incident.
Chronology of the Alleged Incident
According to the survivor’s detailed social media post:
- The Warning: Before the assault, the woman noticed the male passenger was significantly intoxicated. She claims she warned him and informed the flight attendants of her discomfort.
- The Crew’s Response: She alleges that the crew dismissed her concerns, stating they would continue to serve the man alcohol “as long as he asks for it.”
- The Assault: After being “overserved multiple drinks,” the man allegedly assaulted the woman while she was sleeping.
- Reporting the Crime: When she reported the assault to the crew, she was met with skepticism. She claims a crew member asked her, “Did he really do this or are you lying?”
Claims of a Cover-Up
The woman further alleged that the airline attempted to settle the matter quietly rather than taking legal or disciplinary action:
- Incentives for Silence: She claimed she was requested not to go public with the incident and was offered gifts as compensation, which she refused.
- The Survivor’s Stance: “Silence is not compensation. Gifts are not justice,” she wrote. “Questioning a victim is not protocol. Airlines have a duty to ensure passenger safety—especially when intoxication becomes a threat.”
Etihad Airways Responds
Following the viral post, the official Instagram handle of Etihad Airways responded publicly:
“Hi. This doesn’t seem right, and we definitely want to look into what happened. We have sent you a private message. Please have a look so we can assist you further.”
While the airline has initiated a private conversation, they have not yet released a formal public statement regarding the specific actions taken against the accused passenger or the crew members involved.
Aviation Safety: Alcohol & Harassment Protocols
| Issue | Passenger Allegation | Standard Aviation Protocol |
| Alcohol Service | Crew continued serving a visibly drunk passenger. | Crew must cut off service to intoxicated/disruptive flyers. |
| Reporting Assault | Victim was asked if she was “lying.” | Crew must secure the victim and notify ground law enforcement. |
| Post-Event | Offered “gifts” to stay silent. | Airlines should facilitate a police complaint upon landing. |