American Airlines Faces Backlash Over Flight Attendant’s Hidden Camera on Disney Return Flight

(NORTH CAROLINA) American Airlines faces fresh lawsuits in federal court after families say a former flight attendant, Estes Carter Thompson III, secretly filmed children in airplane bathrooms, including on a return flight from Disney World to Charlotte. As of August 10, 2025, public, legal, and regulatory pressure keeps growing.

Court filings from August 6–10, 2025 show new cases from North Carolina families, including one from Union County. Thompson, who pled guilty, was sentenced on July 23, 2025, to 18 years and 6 months in federal prison for sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography.

What’s new and what we know

• Known victims: At least five children, ages 6–14, were identified in Thompson’s recordings. Investigators found images on his iCloud account.
• Timeline: A widely reported incident happened in August 2023 on a flight from Orlando after a Disney World trip to Charlotte. Evidence shows the conduct happened on multiple flights over months.
• Recent suits: Families filed new lawsuits in early August 2025. They accuse American Airlines of negligence in hiring and supervision, and say warnings about Thompson’s risk were ignored.

Families describe deep emotional harm to their children, including depression and anxiety. They also say the airline failed to act on prior coworker complaints. The FBI led the investigation and uncovered repeated offenses.

Who is named and what’s alleged

The complaints focus on former flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III and American Airlines. Plaintiffs allege the company:

• Ignored internal warnings from coworkers and federal authorities
• Didn’t limit Thompson’s access to personal devices at work
• Failed to investigate early complaints

These cases add to earlier litigation, including at least one settlement in 2025. New suits continue to emerge as more families step forward.

Airline response and legal strategy backlash

American Airlines issued a public statement: “American’s core mission is to care for people — and the foundation of that is the safety and security of our customers and team. We are reviewing the complaint, and we take the allegations involving a former team member very seriously.”

The airline also faced strong criticism for a May 2024 legal filing that appeared to blame a 9-year-old victim for not noticing a hidden camera. After backlash, the company retracted that defense, called it an “error” by outside counsel, and said it didn’t reflect the company’s position.

The airline’s privacy policy, updated November 27, 2024, mentions recording in certain areas (such as airports and customer service calls), but it does not permit recording in lavatories or by crew members for personal use.

Important: The controversial May 2024 filing drew intense public criticism and was later retracted. That episode intensified scrutiny of the airline’s legal approach.

Why this case matters to all travelers, including immigrant families

Parents trust airlines to keep children safe in the air. These lawsuits raise tough questions about:

• Crew screening
• Device rules for employees
• Bathroom privacy on flights

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, families often look for clear federal complaint paths and plain rules after cases like this, especially when they travel with minors.

For immigrant families and mixed‑status households, fear of authority can make reporting harder. The source material notes the FBI’s role in the investigation and references the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division as a channel for complaints. Those options are open to anyone who experiences or witnesses misconduct on a flight within the United States 🇺🇸, regardless of where the trip began.

Real-world impacts described in the filings

• A Union County family says their daughter was filmed on a flight home from Disney World in August 2023.
• Another case began when a 14-year-old found a hidden phone in a lavatory in September 2023, triggering the FBI probe.
• Attorneys for families say American Airlines has not offered a full public apology and that only public pressure led the airline to fix its court filing in 2024.

Legal experts expect more cases as additional victims are identified. Industry analysts predict tighter crew supervision and device restrictions across carriers.

What families can do now

If your child used a lavatory on a flight staffed by Thompson in 2023 or 2024, or you believe your child was recorded on any flight, consider the following steps:

1. Document what you remember
   • Write the flight number, date, route, and seat numbers.
   • Save boarding passes, emails, and receipts.
2. Contact American Airlines Customer Relations
   • Ask for written acknowledgment of your complaint.
   • Request that the airline preserve all related records and video.
3. Report to federal authorities
   • The source material points to FBI Victim Assistance for suspected child exploitation.
   • If your child may be a victim, tell law enforcement you want to provide evidence. Keep a copy of your report details.
4. File a DOT aviation consumer complaint
   • Use the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection portal to report airline service and safety concerns related to crew conduct.
   • Official link: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/file-consumer-complaint
5. Consult a qualified attorney
   • The lawsuits cite negligence, emotional distress, and failure to act on known risks. A lawyer can advise on preserving claims and timelines.
6. Support your child’s well-being
   • Seek counseling if needed.
   • Keep school and caretakers informed so they can help watch for changes in mood or behavior.

Warning: Acting quickly to document and report incidents can be critical for investigations and preserving legal options.

What American Airlines says it is doing

The airline says it’s reviewing hiring and supervision policies. As of August 2025, there are no major public announcements of new crew monitoring protocols. Families and advocates continue to call for:

• Stricter device rules for crew while on duty
• Faster internal investigations after coworker complaints
• Clear, public reporting channels for passengers and staff

Looking ahead: litigation and potential policy shifts

• Current suits: Plaintiffs seek damages for negligence and emotional distress. The legal process continues in North Carolina and may expand if more families come forward.
• Regulatory attention: Legal observers expect possible policy discussions or hearings on crew screening and in‑flight privacy.
• Industry pressure: Even without new rules, public concerns are likely to push airlines toward tighter controls and clearer privacy protections for minors.

Key timeline recap

Takeaways for travelers

• If you suspect misconduct on a flight, act quickly. File reports with the airline and federal authorities, and keep copies.
• Children’s privacy in airplane lavatories is non‑negotiable. Crew recording in bathrooms is not allowed by company policy.
• Legal help matters. Families in the current cases moved forward with lawyers who know aviation and child protection law.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, public cases like this can push carriers to review staff screening and device rules. For now, families should use the complaint tools available and keep detailed records while lawsuits move forward.