Passenger charged after assaulting Delta Air Lines crew member

The altercation began when Delta staff instructed Swaminathan to place her baggage in an overhead bin. She refused and reacted aggressively towards other passengers once the airplane doors were closed. When approached by an aircraft attendant, she shoved the attendant with both hands in the chest.

Swaminathan stood between seats in the first and second rows and resisted leaving the plane. Officers noted she smelled strongly of alcohol. Eventually, she was escorted to a police car and detained after unbuckling her seatbelt and removing her hand from handcuffs.

In another incident aboard an American Airlines regional flight bound for Chicago from Bradley International Airport (BDL), a passenger named Priester allegedly attacked a flight attendant less than forty-five minutes into the trip. The plane returned to BDL following an emergency announcement by the captain.

Priester reportedly attempted to drag the victim up the aisle while stating: “You’re coming with me.” He was later taken to a local hospital. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating this case with potential charges pending against Priester.

These incidents contribute to over 700 reports of unruly passengers received by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) this year alone. Following increased disruptive behavior in recent years, particularly in 2024 where airlines recorded over 1,000 such instances—a rise from previous years—the FAA has reinforced its stance against such actions.

The agency emphasizes legal action against those who threaten or harm crew members rather than issuing warnings or counseling. Since 2021, it has referred numerous cases for federal prosecution as part of efforts to ensure safety onboard flights through strict enforcement measures.