Quantcast

American Airlines flight delayed after passenger refuses to leave stolen seat

Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th
Report: JetBlue, United Mulling Partnership
New First-Class Suites, Futuristic Aircraft and the Top Air Travel News From April 2025
Southwest Airlines Announces Reimagined Fare Products, New Benefits for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers and Tier Member Customers
United CEO calls Trump's tariffs a 'chess game'
Flight tickets from Srinagar remain exorbitantly high despite aviation ministry request
RTX Q1 Earnings & Sales Beat Estimates, Increase Year Over Year
Delta faces federal investigation as it scraps hundreds of flights for fifth straight day
Coalition pledges to remove EV tax break two days after Dutton ruled out scrapping it – as it happened
Adani’s airport unit seeks $750 million loan from global banks
GE Aerospace affirms outlook; CEO met with Trump to discuss tariffs
Flight made emergency landing in Denver after reported animal strike and engine fire
General Dynamics says G800 jet receives FAA, EASA certifications
Archer unveils plans for NYC air-taxi network in partnership with United Airlines
United Airlines doubles down on Chicago roots with new O'Hare billboards
ICAO Proposes ‘Journey Pass’ Biometric ID Boarding
Gatwick airport strikes, Easter 2025: will my flight be cancelled?
Boarding passes and check-in could be scrapped in air travel shake-up
European air traffic warning means summer delays for holidaymakers
The EU rule change that could affect millions of Brits when their flight is delayed or cancelled
Delta Earnings Land Soon. Why They’re Key for Airline Stocks and the Economy.
Avelo Airlines to Operate Deportation Flights, Hiring Flight Attendants
Travel chaos 2025: all the strikes and disruption expected across Europe
Qatar Airways accelerates Starlink wifi implementation
Southwest Airlines extends flight schedule through early April 2025
Cathay Pacific reaches 3,400 pilots this year, with low resignation rate of 2.9%
Qatar Airways Nears Boeing 777 Fleet-Wide Starlink Upgrade
United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-equipped planes
50 New Routes Launching In April 2025
Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
American Airlines flight delayed after passenger refuses to leave stolen seat
Research
Webp txr36ytg6uuvd13i8xrjnuempd4m
Gary Leff Chief Financial Officer | View from the Wing

An American Airlines passenger flying from Dallas Fort Worth to Los Angeles took another passenger’s bulkhead seat and refused to give it up, arguing that it was his by right due to his U.S. citizenship. Despite requests from flight attendants to move, all passengers were eventually deplaned to remove him peacefully.

The man had been assigned a seat further back in the aircraft. The rightful occupant of the bulkhead seat, identified in a checkered shirt in video footage, naturally expected to sit there. The interloper became agitated and loudly asserted, “I’m a citizen of the United States,” as justification for his actions.

Flight attendants attempted to manage the situation by informing him that his behavior was inappropriate and that he would be removed from the flight if he did not comply. Undeterred, he challenged them to call the police, saying, “Ok. Get the police here. Take me to jail.”

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Police arrived and, to avoid a physical confrontation, removed the man from the plane in a wheelchair. He was not arrested on the spot. The flight was delayed by 45 minutes, and all passengers had to deplane.

For avoidance of doubt, there is no right of citizenship to stake a claim to unoccupied seats on an aircraft—let alone a seat assigned to someone else.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Emirates Airline has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com to explore the integration of Crypto.com Pay as a payment option for its customers.

Jul 9, 2025

The National Right to Work Foundation has filed an amicus brief with the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in the case of Abbotsford Education Association v. Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission.

Jul 9, 2025

Flying Food Group has announced that a union employee at its Schiller Park, Illinois facility has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) seeking a vote to remove Unite Here Local 1 as the union representative for the...

Jul 8, 2025

The Lincoln Airport is set to embark on one of its most significant projects with the reconstruction of its runway.

Jul 8, 2025

Air New Zealand has launched Dream Seats, a nationwide initiative aimed at supporting New Zealanders in pursuing their dreams.

Jul 8, 2025

dnata Catering & Retail has entered into a management contract with PT IAS Hospitality Indonesia (IASH) to enhance the inflight catering business at Denpasar International Airport.

Jul 8, 2025