On Monday, October 23rd, a passenger aboard Etihad Airways flight EY7, from Abu Dhabi to Boston, faced accusations of inappropriate behavior during the nearly 14-hour journey. Krishna Kunapuli, a 39-year-old man from India, was charged with lewd acts after being involved in multiple disruptions aboard the flight. The situation has led to serious legal consequences, including potential fines and prison time.
According to charging documents from the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Kunapuli, who was seated in 38A by the window, began acting inappropriately around four hours into the flight. He reportedly made unsolicited sexual advances toward a female passenger seated in 44G on the aisle. The woman, seated alone, caught Kunapuli’s attention, and he proceeded to touch her without consent and took pictures of her.
The situation escalated to a point where the flight attendants had to step in twice. Initially, they stopped Kunapuli after noticing his behavior towards the female passenger. Despite being warned, Kunapuli’s inappropriate conduct persisted.
Witnesses later observed him engaged in inappropriate acts under a blanket, and at one point, with his genitalia fully exposed. Two male passengers sitting nearby reported his actions to the crew, prompting further intervention. Law enforcement authorities were notified, and Kunapuli was arrested upon landing in Boston.
Legal Charges and Consequences
Kunapuli faces one count of lewd, indecent, and obscene acts while in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. This charge is a serious one, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 90 days, a fine as high as $5,000, and up to one year of supervised release. The actual sentence will be determined by a federal judge, based on US Sentencing Guidelines and federal statutes.
The US Attorney’s Office stressed that these charges remain allegations, and Kunapuli is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum from the Major Crimes Unit. Acting US Attorney Joshua S. Levy, alongside Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division, and Colonel Geoffrey from the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement about the charges.
While the charges are still allegations at this point, reports suggest that Kunapuli admitted to investigators that he was indeed the individual involved in the inappropriate conduct during the flight. However, his legal team will likely contest these claims in court.
Data reveals that Etihad Airways flight EY7 landed at Boston Logan Airport at 08:56 on Monday, slightly delayed from its scheduled landing time of 07:51. The aircraft taxied to its gate at 09:07, just 17 minutes later than planned. Following the landing, law enforcement officers took Kunapuli into custody without further incident.
Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’
By Youssef Yahya 
