Airlines have seen an unprecedented rise in disruptive passengers. Experts say it could get worse.
Less than two weeks apart, the violent incidents – parts of which were recorded by other passengers – served as extreme reminders of the conflict that experts say has risen to unprecedented levels over the past several months as travelers return to the skies.
“If you talked with some flight attendants, they would certainly say this is the worst we’ve ever seen it,” said Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. “It’s pervasive. There is constant conflict on board.”
She added: “I think there’s a potential that this can get worse.”
Delta passengers and crew subdue unruly passenger on Atlanta-bound flight
(CNN)An unruly passenger forced a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta to land in Oklahoma City on Friday night, the airline said.
Crew members and passengers of Delta Flight 1730 subdued the man after he assaulted two flight attendants and, according to Oklahoma City police, said he was “going to take the plane down.”
It was the second Delta flight diverted because of a disruptive passenger in as many days.
The packed flight Friday night was about two hours away from its destination when an announcement on the intercom advised passengers to return to their seats and prepare to don their oxygen masks, according to passenger Benjamin Curlee, 29, who was seated in the rear.