In the friendly skies where Americans should feel secure, a troubling pattern has emerged, shaking our faith in the systems meant to protect us. Cherian Abraham, a 55-year-old from North Texas, has been arrested for allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior toward a young woman during an American Airlines flight—a disturbing incident marking his third alleged offense in as many years.​

The latest incident occurred on March 18, 2025, aboard American Airlines Flight 2076, traveling from Chicago to Seattle. Approximately two and a half hours into the journey, Abraham is accused of inappropriately touching a 22-year-old female passenger seated beside him. Court documents reveal that Abraham allegedly touched the woman’s breast over her clothing, an action he initially dismissed as accidental while retrieving his belongings. However, mere minutes later, he reportedly repeated the behavior, prompting the victim to confront him directly. Feeling violated and unsafe, she alerted a flight attendant and was reassigned to another seat for the remainder of the flight.​

This incident is not isolated. In April 2024, a woman reported that Abraham had inappropriately touched her multiple times during a flight, escalating to placing his hands between her legs despite her protests. Similarly, in October 2023, another female passenger accused Abraham of touching her leg repeatedly until she demanded he stop. These repeated allegations paint a concerning picture of a man who has seemingly exploited the close quarters of air travel to violate the personal space and dignity of female passengers.​

In response to these alarming events, American Airlines has taken decisive action by banning Abraham from all future flights. A spokesperson for the airline emphasized their commitment to passenger safety, stating, “We work closely with law enforcement to investigate any allegations of misconduct onboard our aircraft.” They further assured the public that the safety of customers and team members remains their highest priority and that they are cooperating fully with ongoing investigations.​

Following the March 18 incident, Abraham was arrested and charged with abusive sexual contact—a federal offense that underscores the seriousness of his alleged actions. If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison. Despite the gravity of these charges, Abraham has been released on an appearance bond with specific conditions, including travel restrictions and the surrender of his passports.​

This series of incidents serves as a stark reminder of the necessity for vigilance and accountability within our nation’s transportation systems. It is imperative that airlines not only implement stringent measures to prevent such misconduct but also ensure that offenders face swift and appropriate justice. Passengers must feel confident that their safety and dignity are protected from takeoff to landing.

As Americans, we cherish our freedoms, including the freedom to travel safely within our great nation. It is unacceptable for individuals to exploit these freedoms to infringe upon the rights of others. The repeated allegations against Abraham highlight a critical need for systemic changes to prevent in-flight misconduct and to hold perpetrators accountable.

While the justice system will determine Abraham’s guilt or innocence, this case underscores a broader issue that demands our attention. We must advocate for policies that protect passengers, support victims, and ensure that our skies remain safe for all. Let this be a rallying cry for all patriots to stand against any form of misconduct that threatens the values we hold dear.