A recent Delta Air Lines transpacific flight diverted to Alaska after a passenger and flight attendant got into an argument during a bathroom visit, as flagged by PYOK. Oy, it’s amazing how things can escalate unnecessarily.
In this post:
Delta flight diverts over racial slurs, threats of violence
This incident happened on Saturday, March 14, 2026, and involves Delta flight DL69, with scheduled service from Seattle (SEA) to Taipei (TPE), which ended up diverting to Anchorage (ANC). The flight was operated by an Airbus A350-900 with the registration code N512DN.
The flight took off a little after 5PM local time, basically right on schedule, and climbed up to 36,000 feet, starting its journey to the northwest. Everything was normal for the first couple of hours, until after the first meal service. That’s when things went sideways, and a very heated argument started between a passenger and a flight attendant.
According to the affidavit filed by the FBI in Alaska, here’s what transpired:
During the verbal altercation, [passenger] made racial slurs and [flight attendant] made antagonizing comments back to [passenger] in response. Additionally, during the verbal altercation [passenger] threatened to fight and kick [flight attendant]’s “a**” once the plane landed. Finally, [passenger] at some point “swung” at the flight attendant. However, no one was physically struck or touched during the altercation. [passenger] had several alcoholic drinks during the flight and was described by witness passengers as an “a******” before boarding the plane.
Here’s what was revealed based on an interview with witnesses (the flight attendant was described as an older black male who was roughly six feet tall and appeared to be physically fit):
[flight attendant] stated he was standing in the galley eating a meal when [passenger] forcefully grabbed his shoulder to get [flight attendant]’s attention. [flight attendant] turned and saw [passenger] who asked in a disrespectful tone if the bathroom was occupied. There was a bathroom adjacent to the galley. [flight attendant] responded in a dismissive manner, explaining to [passenger] that when the locked indicator was shown on the door it meant the latrine was occupied.
[flight attendant] turned back to continue eating his meal. [passenger] made several additionally disrespectful comments. The bathroom became available at some point and [passenger] entered. After several minutes in the bathroom [passenger] exited and again made disrespectful comments towards [flight attendant]. [flight attendant] did not like how [passenger] was speaking to him and responded in a similarly disrespectful manner to [passenger].
A heated verbal argument ensued in which [passenger] called [flight attendant] a “n*****,” stated [flight attendant] was only treating [passenger] that way because [passenger] was white, and made several threats to kick [flight attendant]’s “ass” once the plane landed.
The verbal altercation apparently became so bad that several passengers moved to the galley to attempt to deescalate the conflict. Furthermore, the situation became so heated that the disturbance was approached as a level three threat, so restraints were retrieved (though never used), and access to the cockpit had to be blocked, while the pilots worked on initiating a diversion.
Passengers and other crew members apparently had to get between the passenger and flight attendant, so that it wouldn’t get directly physical. One of the pilots on a rest break (who could no longer access the cockpit, due to the lockdown) said that the conflict was so severe that he thought the two were going to come to physical blows.
The flight ended up diverting to Anchorage, where the passenger was arrested, and has been charged with interference with flight crew members. The plane ended up spending a couple of hours on the ground in Anchorage, and then continued its journey. It ended up landing in Taipei at 12:21AM, a little over three hours after the scheduled 9:05PM arrival.
What is wrong with passengers, why do people act like this?
Obviously the kind of behavior reportedly exhibited here is completely unacceptable, and this passenger shouldn’t be allowed to fly. It’s pretty wild that the report suggests that the passenger was already a jerk before the flight departed, and it obviously only got worse from there, especially with him being served alcohol.
So while the passenger is at fault here and needs to take accountability for how he acted, I still can’t wrap my head around the lack of deescalation skills that some crew members have, according to this report. It sure sounds to me like this flight attendant wasn’t trying to (figuratively) lower the temperature in the cabin either.
If the passenger was acting aggressively toward the flight attendant and seemingly became threatening, it seems like the first thing you’d do is separate the two. But by all accounts, the flight attendant became aggressive as well. One of the pilots said “the altercation was severe” and he thought the two “were going to come to physical blows.”
This seemed to go on and on, so I just don’t get it. Would this be a situation where you’d try to isolate the two, and have this flight attendant go to a different part of the plane? Because it doesn’t sound like what’s happened, but instead, this sounds more like what you’d expect on the set of Jerry Springer, with people pacing around.
Let me be 100% clear — I’m not in any way attempting to blame the victim here. But I do hold a flight attendant (responsible for safety in the cabin) to a different standard than an inebriated passenger, and I don’t think that’s unreasonable. 
Bottom line
A recent Delta flight from Seattle to Taipei diverted to Anchorage, after a passenger and flight attendant got into an altercation. The disagreement started with the passenger believing the flight attendant had an attitude with him, and that then escalating to the point where the two were yelling at one another, and had to be physically separated.
The passenger was ultimately taken into custody, and hopefully he’ll be banned from future Delta flights. Meanwhile this doesn’t strike me as a great showing from the flight attendant either, in terms of deescalating conflict.
What do you make of this Delta Anchorage diversion?
It’s always “them” Boo Boo.
Terrible. The schedule is for a 4:55 pm departure and 9:05 pm arrival TPE. If on time, that's a good schedule because hotel rooms are ready, transit is not crowded but still running, traffic is less. If it's late, like 11 pm, then it can affect the next morning's plans.
Actual flight time:
departed SEA 5:11 pm
diverted to ANC
departed ANC 10:44 pm (was re-timed to depart at 9:30 pm but...
Terrible. The schedule is for a 4:55 pm departure and 9:05 pm arrival TPE. If on time, that's a good schedule because hotel rooms are ready, transit is not crowded but still running, traffic is less. If it's late, like 11 pm, then it can affect the next morning's plans.
Actual flight time:
departed SEA 5:11 pm
diverted to ANC
departed ANC 10:44 pm (was re-timed to depart at 9:30 pm but didn't make it)
arrived TPE 00:21 am
The MRT might have stopped service by then, don't know.
Arrival into the hotel and into bed might be by 3 am. Ugh. If you want hotel breakfast, maybe you have to get there by 9:45 am, meaning only 6.5 hours of sleep and rushing to get downstairs.
Delta's schedule to TPE is great compared to the 5 am arrivals by many flights. However, the departure from TPE to the US is often too early in the am compared to EVA, China Airlines, Starlux.
wow, tim's not here yet?
LOL at people thinking the passenger was some sort of "Trumper" as if a large MAGA continguent is flying from SEA to TPE. More than likely he was Asian, and if you think the supposed hatred for blacks is America is bad, then try going to that part of the world where you'll see what true racism is.
As for the flight attendent......conflict resolution is not a strong suit for certain groups, so I...
LOL at people thinking the passenger was some sort of "Trumper" as if a large MAGA continguent is flying from SEA to TPE. More than likely he was Asian, and if you think the supposed hatred for blacks is America is bad, then try going to that part of the world where you'll see what true racism is.
As for the flight attendent......conflict resolution is not a strong suit for certain groups, so I can't say I'm surprised. More than likely they should have both been kicked off the flight.
uhhhh a LOT of Asian Americans are huge fans of Trump
It feels like there are more of these incidents because people who take flights that long have no alternative modes of transportation, so you get a sample size that includes a lot of different kinds of people. A lot of people with substance abuse issues would rather try to white knuckle (and fail) through sobriety on a flight than just stay home because they really need to get somewhere
more like NK every day!
Did you mean North Korea or Spirit (call sign 'NK')? LOL.
hahaha it was intended to mean Spirit
Someone needs to also keep the cabin crew power trip in check.
I'm not defending the drunk person's actions but the reactions from the crew should also be considered.
A drunk passenger as a level 3 threat?
Per FAA.
Examples: Weapon displayed/used, credible terrorist threats, credible bomb threats, or actual use of bombs, sabotage of aircraft systems, credible threats of hijacking, and
deadly hand-to-hand techniques such as choking or eye gouging.
These statements...
Someone needs to also keep the cabin crew power trip in check.
I'm not defending the drunk person's actions but the reactions from the crew should also be considered.
A drunk passenger as a level 3 threat?
Per FAA.
Examples: Weapon displayed/used, credible terrorist threats, credible bomb threats, or actual use of bombs, sabotage of aircraft systems, credible threats of hijacking, and
deadly hand-to-hand techniques such as choking or eye gouging.
These statements already demonstrated this is NOT a level 3 threat and the power tripping crew is overreacting.
"restraints were retrieved (though never used)"
"thought the two were going to come to physical blows."
That disruptive passenger needs to be punished.
However, someone needs to hold the crew accountable for their actions too.
Power trip, you say?
This black male FA was called a N*gger to his face at his place of work. And threatened with bodily harm.
You tell me you'd be calm in the face of such illegal, racist vitriol.
Yet another reason for one to avoid U.S. airlines and the proletariat who pervade there-on.
There are so many ways to get to Taipei, and even more really good reasons to go there. It warms my heart to think of Taiwan. but somehow, with all that thinking, Delta never pops into my head. Ever. But it's a comfort to think that they're taking out the trash for me so my EVA flight will be relatively MAGA-free.
Sounds like the passenger was over-served. Which doesn’t excuse his behavior, but maybe flight crews need to be a little better about cutting people off.
What I *wish* one of you travel bloggers would do is an in-depth look at people like this who've been arrested for disturbing a flight. I want to know in the real world how many of them ACTUALLY serve time, pay big fines, and ultimately end up on a single airline (or multiple) airlines' no-fly lists. I have a sneaking suspicion that most of these people are given a slap on the wrist, serve no...
What I *wish* one of you travel bloggers would do is an in-depth look at people like this who've been arrested for disturbing a flight. I want to know in the real world how many of them ACTUALLY serve time, pay big fines, and ultimately end up on a single airline (or multiple) airlines' no-fly lists. I have a sneaking suspicion that most of these people are given a slap on the wrist, serve no time, and never end up on a no-fly list. I'd also love to know how many are repeat offenders.
Welcome to the fat orange Nazi's America, where racism and the n-bomb are considered acceptable - indeed, desirable.
People like you are also the problem. If you don't agree with the current President's policies, that's completely fair. I don't always agree with them either.
But to call a president a Nazi, or any of his followers Nazis, just because you don't agree with them is just wrong.
Rather you like it not, Trump was elected president by a majority of the people in the US. That's not Nazism, it's just democracy.
"Rather you like it not, Trump was elected president by a majority of the people in the US. That's not Nazism, it's just democracy."
Trump has won the Electoral College twice and the popular vote once. But he has never won a majority, only plurality.
President Trump won because he convinced fragile white people that POC, immigrants, gays and trans people are ruining their life. These people were failures before Trump and they will be after he leaves office (not convinced he will).
Discuss.
"Fragile white people" That sounds like a racist comment.
"We love the undereducated".
@ David
Just a slight correction.
President Trump received the most votes, but not the majority of votes (when you factor in the other parties) - His vote share was less than 50%.
I fully agree with your sentiments. I don't always agree with our President's decisions, but by and large I appreciate his leadership.
Of course people who voted for current president also think its ok when he or his supporters use racial slurs, implement discriminatory policies, and outright lie and steal ... as long as its not directly impacting people who look like themselves.
Hitler also came to power through a legal process. No not everybody that voted for tump is a Nazi. But if you support him and his actions than you are complicit, just as the German people were during WWII.
"But to call a president a Nazi, or any of his followers Nazis, just because you don't agree with them is just wrong."
My agreement or disagreement is immaterial. My observation is that if it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck (one with dementia at that), and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. Or in the fat orange Nazi's case, it's a Nazi. To wit:
-Dehumanizing Rhetoric and Language:
-The...
"But to call a president a Nazi, or any of his followers Nazis, just because you don't agree with them is just wrong."
My agreement or disagreement is immaterial. My observation is that if it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck (one with dementia at that), and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. Or in the fat orange Nazi's case, it's a Nazi. To wit:
-Dehumanizing Rhetoric and Language:
-The "Enemy from Within" Motif
-"Blood and Soil" Nationalism
-Authoritarian Leadership Style
-Scapegoating and Populist Mobilization
-Attacks on Democratic Institutions and Media
-Stab-in-the-Back" Narrative
-Rallies and Populist Performance
Q.E.D.
TravelinWilly, of course, Trump is not literally a WWII-era German NAZI; but, he is a (white supremacist) nationalist, and is acting pretty socialist-y (for the benefit of himself and the ultra-rich; like, forcing American companies to sell his government 'golden shares' like that 10% from Intel); so, he's more of a nationalist socialist... *facepalm*
The passenger was almost certainly wearing a red hat.
It was a premium argument.
This is perfect fodder for VFTW! Gary! Get in on this! Quick!
"What is wrong with passengers, why do people act like this?"
Oh hi, it's been a minute.
Inflated egos. They only care about themselves and winning.