Quantcast

JetBlue passenger pleads guilty after causing mid-flight diversion

Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Boeing and Airbus ground green plane projects
Proposals for commercial planes to operate with one pilot shelved after critical EU report
Air Travel Fatalities Up 300% in 2024, According to Shocking Global Report
Aviation sector faces steeper losses in FY26; passenger growth slows amid headwinds: ICRA - The Times of India
Boeing Halts Strike Talks Amid $36 Billion Deal & Union Dispute
FAA’s Broader Runway Safety Push Builds on EMAS Legacy
Ryanair CEO says aviation sustainability targets are 'dying a death'
US FAA funds system to prevent accidents involving runaway airplanes
Exclusive: Korean Air makes airline's biggest-ever Boeing jet order amid Trump-Lee summit
Boeing Stock Jumps on Massive Korean Air Order
FAA EMAS: Proven Safety Wins Since 1996
Air Canada flight attendants try to build on US gains on unpaid work
Cathay Pacific warns of declining fares and cargo uncertainty, shares fall
Clear intentions, cloudy path: aviation's ongoing ESG challenge
Turkish Airlines is preparing binding offer for Spain's Air Europa, executive says
Air Canada flight attendants approve strike mandate
US criticizes use of AI to personalize airline ticket prices, would investigate
Ethiopian Airlines' annual revenue rises as it draws more passengers, adds routes
Major strike action to hit 12 Spanish airports that have Ryanair flights
JetBlue, United partnership gets go-ahead from U.S. Transportation Department
United-JetBlue partnership gets US DOT approval
The aviation industry just got exactly what it wanted from Trump's EU deal
Air India Warned Over Crew Fatigue and Training Failures Following Fatal Crash
Heathrow Chief Defends £50–60 billion Third Runway Amid Rising Costs Debate
New UK airline with cheap US fares is ‘parked’ after just TWO flights – with people fearing it’s been scrapped for good
US carriers shamed in surprising new list of the world’s ‘cleanest’ airlines
Air Force Pilot Wasn't Alerted to Collision Course with Passenger Jet Before Scary Near Miss, Says Official
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may deny flights from Mexico over broken aviation agreement
Plane Makes Emergency Landing After ‘Unruly’ Passenger Attempts to Open Exit Door Mid-Flight
JetBlue passenger pleads guilty after causing mid-flight diversion
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

An incident involving an unruly passenger on a JetBlue flight has led to a guilty plea, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. James Tyqwon Ford, who was on JetBlue flight B6 2404 from San Juan to New York JFK on May 13, 2023, exhibited disruptive behavior after allegedly consuming alcohol onboard.

The crew detected a strong odor of alcohol from Ford before beverage services began and suspected he was drinking his own alcohol. Despite announcements prohibiting personal alcohol consumption, Ford continued to disrupt passengers and used profanity when approached by flight attendants. A crew member warned him that police would be involved upon landing if he did not comply with instructions. USA Today reported that Ford responded defiantly, stating "the police would have to catch him first."

Ford threatened physical violence against a flight attendant in the galley, claiming he would punch her and shoot her. Witnesses among the passengers expressed concern for their safety due to his actions. He also claimed to have brought a firearm onto the aircraft and threatened to "tear the plane apart." A nearly empty liquor bottle was found at his seat.

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.

Traveling with Ford was his wife, who attempted to remove a bottle of Hennessy from him, resulting in a physical altercation between them. Other passengers intervened to assist her.

Due to escalating concerns over safety, the flight diverted to Richmond International Airport in Virginia where police removed Ford from the aircraft. To ensure crew safety following threats made by Ford about following them post-flight, new hotel accommodations were arranged.

Ford later told police he was drunk and could not remember his actions during the flight. He faces up to 20 years in prison for interfering with a flight crew and has agreed to pay JetBlue $17,324.71 in restitution.

According to a statement from the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia: “Ford’s disruptive behavior, threats, and actions towards his wife forced the flight to divert from its intended destination of New York, landing instead in Richmond."

In 2024 alone there have been reports of 1,921 unruly passengers compared to 2,075 in 2023. Flight diversions are costly due to additional fuel costs, re-accommodating passengers and crew on other flights, meal vouchers, maintenance fees for aircrafts as well as airport landing fees.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025

American Airlines will introduce its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft on December 18, marking the first time a U.S. airline operates this model.

Oct 25, 2025