CEO Sues American Airlines Over Alleged Inaction During Inappropriate Incident

Neel Elsherif claims a male passenger masturbated for an hour during a flight, and her complaints were dismissed by a flight attendant with discriminatory remarks.

Neel Elsherif, a CEO, alleges that a male passenger masturbated next to her for an hour during a May 2024 flight from New York to Milan.
The flight attendant reportedly dismissed her complaint, stating 'Men just do stuff like that,' and suggested she move to coach instead of addressing the male passenger's behavior.
Elsherif claims the flight crew failed to report the incident, confront the passenger, or ensure her safety, continuing to serve the man alcohol afterward.
The lawsuit, filed on March 21, 2025, accuses American Airlines of negligence, discrimination, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, citing racial and gender bias in the airline's response.
American Airlines has acknowledged the allegations and stated that they are reviewing the claims as the legal case progresses.