An inflight incident aboard a United Airlines flight has escalated into a federal lawsuit. On 28 January 2025, Yisroel Liebb, an Orthodox Jewish man from New Jersey, claims a pilot forcibly removed him from an airplane lavatory. The incident took place during a scheduled United Airlines flight from Tulum, Mexico, to Houston.
The lawsuit, filed on 19 March in Manhattan federal court, accuses United Airlines and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security of misconduct. Liebb seeks damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, and public humiliation.
A Routine United Airlines Flight Turns Chaotic
Liebb boarded the flight with his travel companion, Jacob Sebbag. Mid-flight, Mr Liebb visited the aircraft toilet, reportedly struggling with constipation.
After about 20 minutes, a flight attendant grew concerned and asked Mr Sebbag to check on him. Liebb assured his friend he would be out soon, and Sebbag passed the message along. Ten minutes later, the situation escalated. The pilot, unnamed in reports, allegedly then took matters into his own hands.
According to the lawsuit, the pilot shouted at Liebb to exit immediately. When Liebb replied he was almost done, the pilot took further action. He broke the bathroom lock, forced the door open, and yanked Liebb out.
Liebb’s pants were allegedly still down, exposing him to Sebbag, flight attendants, and nearby passengers. The humiliating scene left Liebb feeling “sexually violated and embarrassed,” the lawsuit states.
Tensions Escalate on the Flight
Both Mr Liebb and Mr Sebbag allege he then pushed them back to their seats, threatened arrest, and made derogatory remarks about their Jewish faith. Both the plaintiffs were in Jewish attire at the time of the incident.
After landing in Houston, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers boarded the aircraft. They handcuffed Liebb and Sebbag, escorted them off, and held them in cells. Liebb claims an officer tightened stated, “This isn’t county or state. We are homeland. You have no rights here.”
The men missed their connecting flight to New York City and faced a luggage search. Released without charges, they paid for a hotel and meals before United Airlines offered a free flight the next day.
Conclusion
Filed less than two months after the incident, the lawsuit now demands accountability. Liebb and Sebbag accuse United Airlines of negligence and the pilot of assault. They also target CBP for alleged excessive force.
United Airlines has declined to comment to reporting news sources, citing ongoing litigation. CBP confirmed officers responded to a disturbance but withheld further details.
