United investigates passenger complaint about flight incident

United Airlines is investigating a passenger’s complaint that a seatmate engaged in sexual conduct during a September 3 flight from Rochester, New York, to Newark, New Jersey, and that crew members later required her to return to the seat beside him for landing. The account has not been independently established in the supplied reporting, and United has not released findings. The 25-year-old passenger told NBC News that she noticed the alleged conduct during the United Express flight and alerted the cabin crew. She said crew members allowed her to stand in the aisle for about an hour before telling her to return to her assigned seat because no other seats were available as the aircraft prepared to land. She said she objected to sitting beside the man and was told she would need to remain there only briefly. According to her account, she stayed beside him during the descent and landing, and remained there while passengers waited to disembark because her seat was near the rear of the plane. She said the man left the aircraft after it reached Newark. The passenger said she filed complaints with United, the Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI.