Southwest Airlines is facing a negligence lawsuit after a 20-year-old woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by an intoxicated passenger during Southwest Flight 3548 from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Sacramento on August 9, 2024.
According to the complaint, the woman was seated in the middle seat between the accused passenger, identified as Jeff Lorenzo, and one of his coworkers. The lawsuit claims Lorenzo had been drinking before arriving at the airport and continued consuming alcohol at an airport bar before boarding. Despite allegedly showing visible signs of intoxication and struggling with the boarding process, the complaint alleges he was allowed onto the aircraft.
The lawsuit further claims that after takeoff, flight attendants served Lorenzo at least two more alcoholic beverages, after which his behavior allegedly became increasingly inappropriate. The complaint accuses him of repeatedly touching the woman without her consent, invading her personal space, lifting the armrest between the seats, brushing against her leg, placing his head near her lap, and repeatedly dropping his phone in ways that forced uncomfortable interactions.
The plaintiff argues that the alleged conduct occurred repeatedly throughout the flight and that flight attendants either knew or should have known what was happening but failed to intervene or protect her.
Seattle-based aviation attorney Mark Lindquist, representing the plaintiff, stated that the lawsuit targets both the alleged offender and Southwest Airlines. He argued that federal aviation regulations prohibit airlines from allowing visibly intoxicated passengers to board aircraft, citing safety concerns for everyone on board. He also alleged the airline continued serving alcohol despite the passenger’s intoxicated condition.
Court documents referenced in the lawsuit state that Lorenzo has pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of simple assault. According to his plea, he admitted he was intoxicated before boarding, consumed additional alcohol during the flight, and repeatedly extended his arm across the victim’s chest, pressing into her breasts over her clothing.
The lawsuit also argues that Southwest had ample warning about the growing problem of in-flight sexual misconduct. It points to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, recommendations from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National In-Flight Sexual Misconduct Task Force, FBI advisories, and numerous reports highlighting an increase in sexual assaults aboard commercial aircraft.
The complaint alleges Southwest failed to adequately train its employees to recognize, prevent, and respond to incidents involving intoxicated passengers and in-flight sexual assaults. It further claims the airline failed to follow both federal regulations and its own internal policies regarding the boarding of intoxicated passengers and the responsible service of alcohol.
As a common carrier, the lawsuit contends Southwest has a legal duty to provide passengers with a safe environment and protect them from foreseeable harm, including assaults by fellow passengers. By allegedly allowing the intoxicated passenger to board, continuing to serve him alcohol, and failing to intervene during the incident, the airline is accused of breaching that duty.
Southwest Airlines has not yet filed a response to the allegations in court, and no trial date has been scheduled. The allegations remain claims made in the lawsuit, and the court will determine the merits of the case as legal proceedings continue.
