A woman aboard a United Airlines flight has been banned from flying with the airline after creating a scene causing the aircraft to be diverted on July 25.
The airline’s statement indicates that the woman disregarded the instructions of the flight crew to remain seated, leading to a verbal altercation. Social media platforms featured videos of the incident, where a flight attendant is seen trying to manage the situation as the woman resists.
Additional details suggest the woman had a verbal exchange with another passenger and might have consumed alcohol before the flight. The unexpected stop in Phoenix caused delays, affecting the travel schedules of other passengers.
Blake Perkins, a passenger who documented the event on TikTok, voiced his displeasure over the disruptions caused by the woman.
In response, United Airlines confirmed that the woman was escorted off the plane by authorities upon landing in Phoenix. The flight proceeded to its original destination later that evening. The airline has placed a temporary travel ban on the woman pending a thorough review.
This event is part of a larger pattern of passengers displaying disruptive behavior on flights. United Airlines has encountered similar challenges, including an incident with a business class traveler on an overseas flight. The Federal Aviation Administration has noted around 857 such disruptions in the current year’s first half.