A woman is suing Southwest Airlines after she says a fellow passenger sexually assaulted her on a two-hour flight — and that the airline saw it coming.
According to the lawsuit, 39-year-old Jeff Lorenzo boarded Southwest flight 3548 from Seattle to Sacramento on August 20, 2024, already showing signs of intoxication.
Flight attendants allegedly served him at least two more alcoholic drinks anyway.
His assigned seat put him right next to the woman, sandwiched between him and his coworker, for the entire flight.
She claims that over the next two hours, Lorenzo repeatedly touched her without consent — and that no one intervened.
Federal law bans airlines from boarding or serving anyone showing visible signs of intoxication.
The lawsuit accuses Southwest of negligence and gross negligence, claiming crew members weren’t properly trained to spot the warning signs or to act once things escalated.
Lorenzo has since pleaded guilty to simple assault and was recommended for 30 days in prison, followed by 18 months of probation.
The woman’s case against Southwest is separate — she’s seeking damages to be determined at trial.
Southwest says it can’t comment on active litigation.
Whose responsibility is it when a passenger crosses the line — the person who did it, or the airline that kept serving him?
#SouthwestAirlines #AviationNews #PassengerSafety
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