A routine United Airlines flight from Miami to Newark, N.J. took a dramatic turn this week when it diverted to Orlando, Fla. due to a disruptive passenger who allegedly bit a flight attendant and exhibited aggressive behavior, according to airline officials and witness accounts.
The incident, captured on video and initially shared by TMZ, depicted a chaotic scene aboard United Flight 762. The footage showed a woman with her hands restrained behind her back in the aisle, shouting at flight attendants and fellow passengers. Amid attempts by airline staff to restrain her, the woman reportedly bit a flight attendant’s shoulder and allegedly spat at another individual. TMZ further reported that the passenger threw punches during the altercation.
At one point in the video, the woman can be heard accusing United employees of having an “attitude problem,” threatening violence, and making disparaging remarks towards fellow passengers, including calling one an “old lady” and telling her to “go back to Russia.”
The video concluded with applause from passengers as law enforcement officers arrived to remove the disruptive passenger from the flight. According to TMZ, the incident led to a delay of approximately three-and-a-half hours.
In response to the incident, United Airlines issued a statement confirming the disruptive behavior onboard their flight. “Our flight attendants worked to de-escalate the situation and protect other customers,” the airline stated. Upon landing in Orlando, law enforcement personnel met the flight and escorted the passenger off the aircraft.
“We’re grateful to our team for their professionalism and for looking out for the safety of our customers and their fellow United employees,” United Airlines added in their statement to PEOPLE magazine on Friday, July 12.
The Orlando Police Department also provided details on the incident, confirming their response to a disruptive passenger aboard the United Airlines flight at Gate 41. “The individual was transported to [an] area hospital for evaluation,” an OPD spokesperson stated, noting that no arrests had been made.
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Flight data from FlightAware indicated that the Boeing 777-222(ER) departed Miami International Airport at 5:38 p.m. and diverted to Orlando approximately ninety minutes into the flight.
A witness, speaking to the Daily Mail, described the altercation as starting when the woman allegedly verbally and physically attacked a family seated towards the rear of the plane. The confrontation reportedly began after the woman was temporarily unable to access the restroom.
United Airlines did not disclose further details regarding the status of the disruptive passenger or any subsequent actions taken following the incident.
