Genevieve Pascolla, 26, photographer from Chicago was travelling from London's Heathrow Airport to Chicago on a United Airlines flight on June 4. She captured a video of the man sitting next to her masturbating under a blanket and posted on her Instagram. When she complained to the flight attendants and told them how she had a similar experience on public transportation, they started making disrespectful jokes about it, as she told BuzzFeed News.

In her Instagram post, Pascolla said she woke up the woman seated next to her and then alerted flight attendants of the man's actions. They were given new seats, but the flight attendants started making jokes. Pascolla wrote, "They then started making jokes about the situation asking, 'What perfume are you wearing?' and excusing him, saying, 'He's had a bit of wine',".

Pascolla's Instagram Post About the Man Masturbating in Flight

⚠️*Trigger Warning*⚠️ On June 4th I was on a #unitedairlines flight from Heathrow to Chicago. On this flight the man next to me started masturbating I woke up and saw him touching himself under a blanket (see attached video) I woke the woman next to me and got out of there to tell a flight attendant the attendants checked and confirmed that he was masturbating in public. Once I got up the woman next to me saw and she also got up. They gave us new seats. They then started making jokes about the situation asking “what perfume are you wearing” and excusing him saying “he’s had a bit of wine” no one stopped him. He was allowed to finish, with a child sitting closely by. After exiting the plane first to talk to security the security guard asked me if I’d like an apology from the offender I immediately rejected the request. It took @unitedairlines a month an a half to respond to my complaint. And I received this email today. I am appalled at the lack of action taken in this situation in which as a woman, I was terrified. This man is clearly capable of much more. So women and men out there pick an airline that cares about your safety. #unitedairlines referring to being assaulted on one of your flight as a “uncomfortable experience” is a bit of an understatement. (See email) your lack of action is disgusting. @united #unitedairlines #metoo

A post shared by 𝕲𝖊𝖓𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖛𝖊 𝕱𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖘𝖈𝖆 𝕻𝖆𝖘𝖈𝖔𝖑𝖑𝖆 (@genevieve.f.p) on

Pascolla also alleged that the man was 'allowed to finish, with a child sitting closely by.' Pascolla told BuzzFeed News, "They were excusing his disgusting behaviour and making jokes. I understand you can't control the situation, but you can control how you handle it."

Video of Man Masturbating on United Airlines Flight

A United Airlines spokesperson said in a statement that the 'inappropriate and offensive conduct like this is exceedingly rare on their aircraft, but we have a protocol to ensure our customers' safety because it is our top priority.' The security guard asked Pascolla if she wanted an apology from the offender to which she immediately rejected the request. And the airline took a month and a half to respond to the complaint. Pascolla said she received half of her ticket refunded in the form of a voucher after she posted her experience on Twitter, not after two complaints she filed soon after the flight.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 20, 2018 09:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).