An American Airlines first class passenger started attacking everyone around him (either physically or verbally), and even splattered others in his blood, causing a diversion.
I’m not usually a fan of the “passenger acts crazy on a plane” stories, because that happens way more than it should. However, this has to be one of the more extreme examples that we’ve seen in a long time, and it’s a reminder of just how quickly things can escalate in the air. Huge credit to the crew and other passengers for how they dealt with him…
In this post:
American first class passenger behaves horribly, causes diversion
This incident happened on Thursday, September 3, 2026, on American flight AA618 from Dallas (DFW) to Newark (EWR). The roughly three hour flight was operated by a Boeing 737-800, and took off around 6:45PM.
The first couple of hours of the flight were routine, but around an hour before landing, things took a turn for the worse. This involves the man seated in 4A, the window seat in the last row of first class, on the left side.
According to another passenger seated near him, it was “just like a light switch,” and he “all of a sudden went from quiet to yelling and chaos.” On the physical front, the passenger suddenly placed his hands around the neck of the guy seated next to him.
That was only the start of his tirade — he reportedly used both homophobic and racist slurs (including calling one of the flight attendants the “n-word”). As it’s described, everyone in first class was impacted by his spewing of hatred and vulgarity.
At this point, some passengers stepped in to help the crew restrain the passenger with duct tape and zip ties. As you can see from the pictures, we’re talking about a lot of duct tape!
During this time, he bit the hand of one of the people who was helping to restrain him, leaving teeth marks, and he also covered others in his blood (he was reportedly bleeding from cuts that he inflicted on himself).
The flight then diverted to Baltimore, where law enforcement took over. He then reportedly hit a police officer, before being fully restrained. The 67-year-old man has now been charged with second degree assault and disorderly conduct.
Kudos to everyone involved for controlling this
There’s no denying that some flight attendants in the United States may not be great at deescalation when there are conflicts. However, it’s clear in this case that the guy had to be restrained — if he tried to choke others, had self-inflicted wounds, etc., that’s… not something you can so easily deescalate.
So massive credit goes to those passengers who stepped in to help, and the crew for how they managed the situation. Honestly, it’s rather scary to be in a confined metal tube with someone who is acting this way, where you can’t easily escape.
It’s not entirely clear what prompted this outburst in the first place. Some suggest he was acting intoxicated, though a passenger who stepped in to help says the flight attendant claimed she only served him one drink. That obviously shouldn’t cause this kind of a response, so I suspect there’s a bit more to this.
I hope the guy gets the help he needs so he doesn’t act this way again. But I also hope American bans him from future travel, and that he faces some penalties for his behavior.
Bottom line
An American Airlines passenger caused quite the disturbance on a flight from Dallas to Newark. About two hours into the flight he became violent, and choked the passenger next to him. Then when passengers intervened, he started making all kinds of awful comments. He was then restrained, and in the process he started biting others, and even spraying them in blood, since there were apparently self-inflicted wounds at that point.
I’m sorry for whatever this guy is dealing with that caused him to act this way, but nobody should have to put up with this, so the response seems appropriate. Well done to the crew and other passengers.
What do you make of this American flight diversion?
Could be bipolar snd does not take medication. I know one who is cool dude but in an instant maybe one time a month he goes nuts. Verbally screaming. Could easily become physically abusive. If this is what happened he is not taking meds.
we should do this and worse to racists with much more regularity
Only 2nd degree assault??
Talking back to an officer will get a non-white person a "resisting arrest" charge. He bit and hit people (INCLUDING A COP) and created trauma for at least the dozen people around him, he should have suffered the same consequences far more innocent people suffer who just happen to have more melanin in their skin.
Why should he get the courtesy of his face being blurred?
First of all, why are you still flying for work at 67???
His name is Layne Lundeen, a real estate agent from Tuscon.
In response to your question, "First of all, why are you still flying for work at 67?" I hasten to point out that that sentence smacks of ageism. Full Social Security Retirement age in the United States is currently 67. Social Security benefits continue to increase for contributions made through age 70. I gather from your question, "First of all, why are you still flying for work at 67?" that you have sufficient funds and...
In response to your question, "First of all, why are you still flying for work at 67?" I hasten to point out that that sentence smacks of ageism. Full Social Security Retirement age in the United States is currently 67. Social Security benefits continue to increase for contributions made through age 70. I gather from your question, "First of all, why are you still flying for work at 67?" that you have sufficient funds and do not plan to work at 67. That is unfortunately not the case for everyone, by any means whatsoever.
Isn’t this just what AA cabin crew does if you ask for more pretzels.
Why can't we see his Face? He might be a TPG writer?
Oh my god I hope so
Given the passenger’s age, it’s likely he takes multiple prescription medications. So the drink he was served—plus the stronger effects of alcohol at altitude—interacting with his meds could be what set him off. That’s not an excuse for his behavior…I’m glad I’ve never had to experience a similar situation (yet? Probably, ugh),
Domestic first should be rebranded as Domestic Drunks. The concentration of alcoholics in that cabin needs to be studied
You wonder why?
Its a very sad lifestyle flying around domestically for work.
TSA allows duct tape in carry-ons:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/duct-tape
It's not really his fault, he's just a Pisces. Free him!
My wife (who is an ICU nurse) overheard that video and goes “why don’t the airlines have restraints that are designed for these situations instead of duct tape” Which I think is a good point with how quickly these situations are escalating. There’s got to be something that make it easier to get these people restrained quicker.
Good point. How long will that seat be unavailable until all the tape residue is cleaned off?
A cheap lawyer drafts a mental health defense and it’ll be like nothing happened
@JustinB, point well taken but underscores the major issue we have in the USA with underfunded healthcare coverage for mental health issues.
serious question here - does anyone know how the zip tie (the yellow plastic piece around his wrist) is being attached to the window panel? how is it supposed secured without the guy pulling it apart?
We spend billions a year guarding against terrorists yet these lunatics face little to no punishment. Often they bond out the next day and are allowed to catch a flight. Will get to taking down a plane for DAs and judges to take airplane and airport meltdowns seriously? Yes, and even then it's doubtful.
1. Why is his faced blurred out. Everyone needs to know who this is.
2. "... faces some penalties..." SOME penalties? I hope A LOT of penalties.
3. "...We need to develop better restraints..." Like maybe a Taser?
I’m going to guess his social media bio says, ‘follower of Christ,’ and that he is MAGA. Just a hunch.
sounds like you are racial profiling to me.
just a hunch
The background or partisanship of misbehaving passenger is irrelevant; the misbehavior is the issue.
That said, the details are: “He was starting to become abusive and started using profanity.” And, the man also used “racial and homophobic slurs,” before attempting to bite other passengers, so… Steve’s just speculating.
Would literal proof of the guy’s social media posts really matter here? Like, if he had said mean things online, would the airline have preemptively...
The background or partisanship of misbehaving passenger is irrelevant; the misbehavior is the issue.
That said, the details are: “He was starting to become abusive and started using profanity.” And, the man also used “racial and homophobic slurs,” before attempting to bite other passengers, so… Steve’s just speculating.
Would literal proof of the guy’s social media posts really matter here? Like, if he had said mean things online, would the airline have preemptively barred him? Doubtful.
It’s not racial profiling when my hunch is correct. A mental health event would not specifically target marginalized groups. That just evil. It’s who America is in 2026.
Sounds like you could use a little bit of Christ.
How awful this is we got to do better in life it's doesn't make sense these behaviors are getting out of control whosoever the Governor in his stat needs laws put in place endangering lives in mid air needs the electric chair all passengers fearing for each others lives this madness must stop
That would be Greg Abbott, so fat chance of those kind of laws happening.
We need to develop better restraints that don't need half a cabin injured before securing an individual. Duct tape just isn't efficient for societies psychiatric problems
A little ‘self-restraint’ is probably a good start. (Bah!) Like, don’t consume so much alcohol before a flight that you become a hazard to yourselves and others. Then, yeah, sure, let’s do better than duct tape. Good call.
Did you even read the article in full? I have no idea wtf is wrong with you sanctimonious puritans who are obsessed with demonizing alcohol.
Nobody is demonizing alcohol but your unhinged response makes an example of why safety restraints are needed to protect ourselves
Ezzrraa, irresponsible consumption of alcohol is often the reason in incidents like this, so that’s why I included it as an *example*, in general. (See my use of the word “like,” above; fine that it may not be the literal details of this particular case.)
Must be a Texan trailer park yokel.
Nothing excuses this type of behavior from adults. Period. Objectively our lives have never been better than at any time in human history and yet there is still this anger, sadness, loneliness, envy, hatred etc. in some people bubbling under the surface.
yes absolutely. it's possible that this was a veteran who has seen mind-altering situations, or it's also possible it's just a regular guy going mad. Just curious, what's the significance of your PJOC title?
LOL Sounds like ORD_what’s-his-name, OMAAT’s mentally ill bigot in residence.
Nah, ORD’s just… ‘eccentric’… not a hazard.
Thank you for the damning with faint praise. It's truly an art form these days. And as for someone who names himself after the world's smallest deer, enough said.
This guy should be fined extensively, serve jail time, and be banned for life from flying on American or any other US carrier. These incidents have to stop and this filth needs to be managed in such a way that it can't continue to happen.
Who tells you he’s not a fine guy who was having a hypomanic crisis
No matter what his words were i would not assume he's fillth. In such crises you can say the opposite if what you mean and be the opposite of who you are
No fan of these incidents. That said, those who violate rules and laws, on-board, are often detained, arrested, charges pressed, fines paid, sometimes time served, sometimes banned by individual airlines, all within the bounds of due process. However, let’s be clear, while ‘fun’ to suggest, vigilantism isn’t the answer. Drink responsibly. Safe travels!
I don't knowledge of fines or jail terms would dissuade this guy .
That’s definitely Tim Dunn. He thought he booked a flight on Delta. Once he realized he was on a United plane, it was all downhill from there.
Excuse me. American Airlines not United.
He was on AA, which can make even the most sane person go crazy.
Nah, Timmy will get into trouble for having a wank in the lounge or on board while his eyes are locked in on the Delta logo.
I don't think Timbits gets a sexual frisson from the Widget. With him, it's like staring intently at a Mark Rothko painting. Do it long enough and you start getting thoughts that seem profound to you, and you're forced to express them.
Nah, sure, Tim’s passionate about Delta, but he’s not a maniac. Hope the actual person at-issue here gets the help they apparently need.