The woman says she was told to return to her assigned seat beside the passenger she had reported as the plane prepared to land.
NEWARK, NJ — United Airlines is investigating a passenger’s account that a man seated beside her masturbated during a Sept. 3 flight from Rochester, New York, to Newark and that she was later required to return to the seat next to him for landing.
The 25-year-old woman, whose name has not been publicly reported, said she alerted cabin crew after noticing the alleged conduct during the early-morning flight. She said crew members initially allowed her to leave her seat and remain away from the man, but she was told to return to her assigned seat when the aircraft prepared for landing because another seat was not available.
The incident was reported aboard United Express Flight 3626 between Rochester and Newark Liberty International Airport. The flight was operated by Republic Airways under the United Express brand. The passenger said she had been traveling through Newark on her way to Boston when the alleged encounter occurred.
The woman said she spent much of the flight away from her assigned seat after telling crew members what she had observed. As the aircraft prepared to descend, however, she said she was informed that she needed to be seated for landing and that the full flight left no alternative seat available. She said she then returned to the seat beside the man she had reported.
The passenger also questioned the response after the aircraft arrived in Newark. According to her account, the man was permitted to leave the plane without being stopped or questioned by law enforcement. Publicly available reports do not establish whether crew members independently witnessed the alleged conduct or whether the man has since been identified or interviewed by authorities.
United said it is taking the passenger’s allegations seriously and investigating what happened. The airline said it had contacted the woman and apologized for her experience. Reports also said United offered her a $100 travel credit following her complaint.
The woman said she filed complaints with United and the Federal Aviation Administration and contacted the FBI. Filing a complaint does not establish that a crime occurred, and no criminal charge against the male passenger had been publicly reported in connection with the allegations as of Wednesday.
The case raises questions about how reports of alleged sexual misconduct aboard commercial aircraft are handled while a flight is underway and after landing. Federal authorities can investigate certain offenses committed aboard aircraft, but the available accounts do not establish what information, if any, was passed to law enforcement before passengers left the plane.
Several details remain unresolved, including whether anyone other than the woman witnessed the alleged conduct, what information the operating crew documented and whether authorities have opened a formal investigation. United has said it is looking into the report but has not publicly announced findings from its review.
Author note: Last updated Sept. 24, 2026.