Quantcast

Passenger attempts cockpit breach, restrained on American Airlines flight from São Paulo

LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers
Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip
WA Labor & Industries plans to create new airline worker protections
Airlines must now give automatic refunds for significant delays. Here's what to know.
Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights
Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago
White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears
Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East
Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York
Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
American Airlines Passengers Save Woman from Alleged Violent Male Companion on Flight
Garuda Indonesia and Japan Airlines (JAL) Form Joint Business Agreement — What To Know
Here's how Southwest Airlines' new seating and boarding process will work
Delta Adds New Route to Asia
Southwest Airlines will begin selling assigned seats in 2025
United Airlines Pilot Buys Passengers Pizza In Albuquerque After Flight Was Delayed 7 Hours
Czech Airlines to Cease Operations, Ending 23-Year SkyTeam Partnership
An Asian airline hopes launching one of the world's longest narrowbody routes will actually be a comfort upgrade for passengers
Airlines begin canceling flights, offering rebooking ahead of Hurricane Helene
Passenger attempts cockpit breach, restrained on American Airlines flight from São Paulo
Policy
Webp messenger creation ed849b24 42c8 4988 80bd 6a7f1966b3ed
American Airlines | Official Website

A first-class passenger aboard an American Airlines flight from São Paulo to New York attempted to enter the cockpit just before takeoff, resulting in a physical restraint by crew members and a significant delay. The incident took place on Flight AA950 on the night of April 24, causing a postponement of more than two hours.

Video footage from social media shows the passenger confronting the flight crew near the cockpit, yelling profanities, and resisting efforts to calm her. She was eventually knocked to the floor and restrained before being seated again. Another disruptive passenger was also removed from the aircraft alongside her.

According to the flight magazine Aeroin, the woman's behavior began during taxiing after she questioned the delay and verbally engaged a flight attendant. When a pilot exited the cockpit, she moved towards the open door, prompting physical intervention from a crew member.

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.

Cell phone footage reveals the woman shouting in both Portuguese and English, threatening a crew member. A male passenger further escalated the situation by yelling at crew members. The incident led the aircraft to return to the boarding gate to de-escalate the confrontation.

American Airlines commented on the incident, stating that the flight returned to the gate due to "a security issue onboard." They emphasized that "the safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority."

In another video that gained traction online, the woman is seen being restrained and directed back to her seat before her removal. The cockpit door was open at the time, and crew members struggled to close it. During the altercation, the woman loudly protested her treatment, and another passenger also expressed anger before cabin crew intervened to defuse the tension.

After returning to the gate, law enforcement escorted both the woman and the male passenger off the flight. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, eventually resumed its journey to New York more than two hours later.

This is one in a series of recent disruptive incidents aboard commercial flights. Earlier in the month, a similar situation occurred on another American Airlines flight involving an attempted cockpit breach. These incidents continue to highlight the importance of strict security protocols surrounding cockpit access.

###

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the launch of a new daily passenger service to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Jul 16, 2025

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of services to seven new destinations—Almaty, Baku, Bucharest, Medina, Tashkent, Tbilisi, and Yerevan—beginning in November 2025.

Jul 16, 2025

Airlines for America has emphasized the need for increased funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hire more air traffic controllers, update infrastructure, and build on the One Big Beautiful Bill down payment.

Jul 16, 2025

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced a complete closure of Aviation Boulevard between Arbor Vitae Street and Century Boulevard from July 14 at 9 a.m. to July 21 at 6 a.m. Shuttle access to the LAX/Metro Transit Center will remain...

Jul 16, 2025

Avianca has announced the launch of a social media thread on X, inviting travelers to explore Dallas as a new destination.

Jul 16, 2025

Finnair announced that Palta and the Finnish Transport Workers’ Union (IAU) have reached a negotiation result, leading to the cancellation of all previously announced strikes and the resumption of normal flight operations.

Jul 16, 2025