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Etihad passenger alleges sexual assault by drunk flyer on USA-India flight: ‘Was requested not to make matter public'
The woman alleged that a man sitting beside her sexually assaulted her while she was asleep. She told HT.com the crew later removed the man to another seat.
A woman has alleged that she was sexually assaulted while on an Etihad Airways flight from the USA to India. She accused the crew of not helping her, of doubting her complaint, and even of asking her not to make the matter public.
Simi Nair alleged that the crew kept serving alcoholic drinks to the man even though he was drunk.
She told HT.com, “Once I informed crew not to serve drink to my coo passenger anymore as he was acting weird already, a lady crew told we will serve till we don’t find out he is very drunk . Then I came back to my sit. Then after lunch when everyone was sleeping, he put his hand under my blanket and touched me inappropriate way, suddenly I woke up and called crews , they moved him to another place, and they were offering me many gifts from the 1st class compartment as compensation. I took it and kept at my seat before leaving the aircraft.”
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“I was sexually assaulted by a co-passenger while flying from USA to India with Etihad Airways. The passenger was heavily intoxicated. I warned him. I informed the flight attendants. I was told they would continue serving him alcohol ‘as long as he asks for it’,” Nair claimed.
She continued, “After being overserved multiple drinks, he assaulted me while I was asleep. When I reported it, instead of immediate accountability, I was questioned - ‘Did he really do this or are you lying?’ I was then requested not to make the matter public and was offered gifts as compensation. I refused.”
She added, “Let me be clear: Silence is not compensation. Gifts are not justice. And questioning a victim is not protocol. Airlines have a duty to ensure passenger safety -especially when intoxication becomes a threat. I am speaking up because women's safety is not optional. It is not negotiable. And it is not something to be covered up.”
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Etihad Airways reacts::
“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. Thank you,” reads a response from the official Instagram profile of the airline.
Nair said, “Yeah they reached out without any clear answer,” when asked if the airline has reached out to her.
Nair also shared conversation between her and Etihad Airways where the airline said that they have escalated the matter and a dedicated team was investigating the matter.
She told HT.com, “I want Indian girls to learn take step for themselves.” She added, “Being a public figure and being Miss Environment India, it’s my duty to stand up with clear picture.” She was among the top 5 in Miss Environment International Pageant 2025.
(HT.com has reached out to Etihad Airways . This report will be updated when the airline responds.)
