Delta flight forced to divert after ‘unruly passenger’ detained by passengers and crew

A Delta Air Lines flight was forced to divert Friday because of an unruly passenger, the latest incident in an uptick of poor passenger behavior across airlines. 

Videos posted to Twitter show a scuffle near the front of Delta Flight 1730 from Los Angeles to Atlanta. Delta spokesman Eric Zeugschmidt said crew and passengers helped detain the unruly passenger, and the aircraft landed “without incident” in Oklahoma. The passenger was removed by law enforcement.

The plane landed around 10:30 p.m. in Oklahoma City, according to Delta’s website.

Delta Flight 1730 from Los Angeles to Atlanta was diverted to Oklahoma City on Friday after crew and passengers subdued and unruly passenger. (Photo: Delta Air LInes)

“We apologize to our customers for the delay and any additional inconvenience this caused,” Zeugschmidt said via email.

The plane took off from Oklahoma city around 2 a.m. local time and arrived in Atlanta around 5:09 a.m. on Saturday, four hours later than scheduled, according to Delta’s website. 

The incident is just the latest in an uptick of unruly passengers, which has forced a crackdown by the Federal Aviation Administration as travel volumes pick up. The Transportation Security Administration screened more than 2 million people for the first time since the onset of the pandemic on Friday.

Record travel numbers: TSA screens more than 2 million on Friday for the first time since the pandemic hit

Flight diverted: Delta Air Lines flight forced to divert after ‘unruly passenger’ reportedly tried to breach cockpit

The Federal Aviation Administration is getting aggressive when it comes to disruptive passengers.

USA TODAY

Earlier this month, a Delta flight from LA to Nashville reportedly tried to breach the cockpit, forcing the plane to divert to New Mexico, airport officials in Albuquerque said. And last month, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant landed in the hospital after a passenger punched her in the face. 

Some airlines, including Southwest and American, have delayed plans to start selling alcoholic drinks in the wake of the high-profile incidents and calls by flight attendant unions to limit alcohol sales on board. Delta has been serving alcohol in regular economy since mid-April.

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