Summary

  • Unruly passenger bit a flight attendant on a United flight from Miami to Orlando, causing a diversion due to her disruptive behavior.
  • Passenger was screaming, spat on a fellow passenger, and needed to be restrained by the crew during the flight incident.
  • The passenger was escorted off the plane in Orlando, taken to a hospital for evaluation, but not arrested. United praised crew for handling situation professionally.

On Tuesday night, a United Airlines flight from Miami was forced to divert to Orlando after a passenger bit a flight attendant. This took place after the passenger had become aggravated.

Unruly passenger incident

Recently, unruly passenger incidents have seen a significant decrease following a massive increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. But earlier this week, a passenger on a United Airlines flight departing Miami disrupted the flight. The flight, operated by a Boeing 737-900ER and destined for Newark Liberty International Airport, diverted to Orlando International Airport.

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Incidents have declined nearly 80% compared to 2021’s peak, though remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels.

According to a report from Fox35, the passenger was screaming while the crew tried to restrain her. The reason for needing to restrain the passenger was not clear, but while the crew attempted to restrain the passenger, she bit one of the flight attendants. Some video footage even showed the passenger spitting on a fellow passenger.

A United Airlines Boeing 737-900 on an airport apron.

Photo: lorenzatx | Shutterstock

When the aircraft touched down in Orlando, authorities met the plane and escorted the unruly passenger off. According to the Orlando Police Department, the passenger was taken to a local hospital for evaluation but had not been arrested. A United Airlines spokesperson said,

“Our flight attendants worked to de-escalate the situation and protect other customers and after landing in Orlando, law enforcement met the flight, and the passenger was removed. We’re grateful to our team for their professionalism and for looking out for the safety of our customers and their fellow United employees.”

Recent United news

Earlier this week, United announced it was applying for one of the newly-approved slots outside of the perimeter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The airline hopes to receive authorization to fly nonstop from San Francisco International Airport to DC. JetBlue is one of several carriers also wanting to operate either a new route or add flights to an already-existing route. The airline hopes to add a new service to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

JetBlue Airbus A321neo departing AMS shutterstock_2463867121

Photo: Minh K Tran | Shutterstock

In JetBlue’s filing, the New York-based carrier attacked United’s application, nitpicking at some details that supposedly made United’s requested slot invalid. On the same day, United responded to JetBlue’s motion, asking the Department of Transportation (DOT) to throw it out. United said JetBlue’s motion was based “…on an imaginary technicality… it should be dismissed immediately and/or ignored by the Department.”

Related

JetBlue And United Airlines Are At It Again With Latest Heated DOT Dispute

With previous tit-for-tat filings over an EAS contract from PQI, the two airlines are back at it over beyond-perimeter slots at DCA.

JetBlue said there are limitations on the times that perimeter flights can operate, and none before 07:00. United wants its flight from DCA to SFO to depart at 06:30 and said it would shift its own schedule to accommodate for a departure that early.

“Even if the Department decides to entertain JetBlue’s desperate attempt to disqualify United — though United firmly believes the Department should not waste its time and resources in doing so — then Alaska, Delta, and Southwest would also be in the hot seat (though United is not suggesting they are) for proposing flights in hourly periods at DCA that are fully allocated according to FAA data.”

United further added that JetBlue itself did not even file a proper application but it would not ask the DOT to throw JetBlue’s out based on a technicality.

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