Quantcast

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

American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
Why United Airlines has had such a stellar year despite being Boeing's biggest customer
JetBlue nixing routes between multiple major cities, reducing several others
Airline Stocks Led The Travel Industry's Record 2024 Rally. Here's What's Next.
It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel
Qatar Airways cleans up at the World Travel Awards
All of the strikes at European airports this winter – find out if you are affected
Meet the CEO trying to turn around Air India, the 92-year-old airline with a pile of problems
Skiplagging: Unpacking the Risky Travel Trend That Involves Tricking Airlines
Qantas engineers walk off job on one of the busiest travel days of the year
South Korea to safeguard competition after Korean Air, Asiana merger
China Southern returns to Adelaide
Global Airline Industry Revenues Forecast To Top $1 Trillion For First Time In 2025
EasyJet to launch six new routes from the UK next year with £24 flights
Here's Why Analysts Say It's a Good Time to Buy Airline Stocks
A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game
TAKING OFF: Major airline introduces new inflight service rules with less time to order your drinks
2 Delta flight attendants fail breathalyzer test before flight to JFK
EasyJet reveals plans for new flights from regional UK airport next summer
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

Lufthansa has announced the introduction of unlimited free chatting on its long-haul flights.

Jun 3, 2025

Emirates and Air China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore an enhanced partnership.

Jun 3, 2025

Air New Zealand is set to expand its fleet with the arrival of two new A321neo aircraft, each covering a distance of 19,342 kilometers from the Airbus facility in Hamburg to Auckland.

Jun 3, 2025

The third daily flight from Dubai to Bahrain, EK835, departed at 0200 hrs and arrived in Bahrain at 0215 hrs.

Jun 3, 2025

Emirates has announced a multi-year partnership with European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), becoming the Premium Partner and Official Airline Partner of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.

Jun 3, 2025

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the recipients of its 2025 Diversity & Inclusion Awards.

Jun 2, 2025