What's the World's Worst Airline for Allegedly Allowing Sexual Assault?

Spoiler alert: American Airlines is in the lead. Plus: What's coming up & another informal poll

I hope everyone’s having a lovely autumn/spring, depending on where you are in the world.

Some of you know I was taking a break to travel, then immediately got sick for weeks like so many of us have over the past few years. I’m back to work now, and I’m thinking about a running list of the world’s worst airlines for allowing (yes, allowing) a culture of sexual assault in the workplace.

Such a list will take some time and more input from readers to construct properly, but based on the lawsuits I’ve written about, the victims/survivors I’ve spoken to, and the emails I receive every week, I’ve got the beginnings of a leaderboard:

WHICH AIRLINE DO YOU THINK IS THE WORST, whether it’s on this list or not? Let me know in the comments or send me an email. I want to hear from you.

1. American Airlines. Late F.O. Sten Molin and other current pilots and/or current management, plus at least one male flight attendant, have allegedly harassed and/or assaulted flight attendants and others with impunity. Molin assaulted, raped or harassed dozens of women and underage girls, some of whom say they reported their attacks to supervisors. He remained free to continue offending.

2. Southwest Airlines. Captain Christine Janning’s is the most outrageous and visible case right now, and her suit refers to several other victims of retired SWA Captain Michael Haak. There are still others you will hear about in the future.

3. Delta Air Lines. Multiple sexual harassment and/or rape victims have sued and/or reported to me.

4. RyanAir. In progress as tips come in. Multiple allegations against one pilot, for example. Start here.

5. JetBlue. Multiple allegations by flight attendants against pilots. This airline is on my list to write about.

Meanwhile, know what struck me as I put the above graphic together? Not once in two years—not one single time—have I received a communication from a victim/survivor* who said, The attack on me by a pilot was traumatizing, but my manager had my back and HR took quick action to investigate the assailant and to make sure my attacker couldn’t hurt anyone else. Or any variation of those sentiments.

Not only are you telling me about known rapists still working as pilots and still offending, but women** report facing the same old basket of chestnuts from HR and management: How much did you have to drink? What were you wearing? I heard you wanted it.

It’s like the airlines are stuck in the 1970s. Note to management: Get a new repertoire. Please.

I’ll keep writing about this as long as you still share your stories with me. It takes a long time to make change, to find justice, to get people to actually pay attention. Don’t lose hope. Don’t give up.

KEEP SPEAKING OUT.

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The book about the fight for justice by victims of American Airlines F.O. Sten Molin is underway

I’m glad to know more of you are ready to speak with me. I’ve emailed those I haven’t connected with yet who have said they’d like to talk, so get back to me when you can and we’ll set up a time.

Every time I speak to a woman about her assault we both cry. Every time. [Edit/correction: almost every time].

I’ll say it again to those who have spoken, and to those still thinking about it: Don’t give up.

Even if your assailant is dead, the institution that enabled his predation lives on—and continues to foster a cover-up culture imbued with fear that’s wielded routinely to silence anyone who speaks out.

Don’t let them win.

Flight 587 pilot Sten Molin died in 2001 and took 264 people with him. His victims/survivors are out again trying to change the bullshit narrative that he was some sort of heroic victim.

He wasn’t, and we’re going to continue amplifying the words of his victims and survivors until they are finally acknowledged in the podcasts, YouTube videos, docuseries and various articles that never mention his living victims.

It’s taking awhile, but remember: The world’s worst predators took years to nail, and their victims always, always suffered as they spoke their truths to uncaring and skeptical authorities and organizations. But they never gave up. I’ve never read about one who regretted fighting for justice. Have you?

It took years and a fumbled investigation to finally nail child rapist Larry Nassar who, like Sten Molin, was protected and enabled by institutional silence and a cover-up culture:

"I blame Larry Nasser, and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated [sic] his abuse," Simone Biles, the most decorated Olympic gymnast of all-time, told the U.S. Congress.

Aly Raisman, captain of the 2012 and 2016 US Olympic gymnastics teams, told lawmakers she was disgusted that she and others were “still fighting for the most basic answers and accountability” more than six years after first reporting her abuse.

“Over the past few years it has become painfully clear how a survivor's healing is affected by the handling of their abuse,” she said.

Sound familiar? You are not alone.

Hollywood—studios, individuals, companies, lawyers, you name it—protected and enabled Harvey Weinstein for decades. It took many brave souls and relentless investigating and knocking down doors to bring him to justice.

The BBC had a messy history with Jimmy Saville, another prolific predator who couldn’t have operated for so long without a culture of silence and looking-the-other-way strategy around him. Yet he was called out in the end, and the fact he’s dead is irrelevant.

His victims are still alive. They matter. So do you.

You’ve got this.

—Sara

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*I have written in the past about why I say “victim” and not “survivor,” but that’s just for myself. I will use any label a person who’s been assaulted and/or harassed would like me to when writing about their stories.

**Two years into this, I’ve still only heard from women. We know there are victims/survivors who are not women, and I hope one day you feel safe enough to contact me.