Low-cost Icelandic airline Play wants to make one lucky winner a tourist for a year with the chance to win free flights.
A United passenger fought with his girlfriend, threatened to 'mess up the plane,' and forced a diversion. Now he must pay $20,000.
29.04.2024 - 16:51 / insider.com / United Airlines / Airlines
A United Airlines passenger has been ordered to pay the carrier more than $20,000 after forcing a flight to divert.
Alexander MacDonald, a 30-year-old from England, pleaded guilty to one count of flight interference related to the March 1 incident.
He was flying from London to Newark when he started arguing with his girlfriend, according to an affidavit seen by Business Insider.
It adds that the flight purser asked MacDonald to lower his voice and he initially did calm down. But then they found him "yelling" at another crew member in the plane's back galley, per the court document.
The affidavit says MacDonald asked the purser if they would like to "have a problem," threatened to "mess up the plane," and backed them into the corner by putting his hands on their shoulders.
Related stories
The flight crew and two passengers eventually managed to restrain MacDonald with flex cuffs, but he continued to be verbally and physically aggressive, the affidavit says.
The captain then decided to divert the plane, which had 160 passengers on board, to Bangor International Airport in Maine.
Last Thursday, a judge in the US District Court of Maine remanded MacDonald to custody to be deported back to the UK.
He was also ordered to pay $20,738, of which $20,638 is restitution to United Airlines.
United declined to comment when contacted by Business Insider.
In January, a British university student avoided paying the Spanish Defense Ministry $120,000 after he joked about blowing up a plane and fighter jets were scrambled. He was found not guilty of a charge of public disorder.
The number of unruly passenger incidents rose sharply as aviation returned from COVID disruption in 2021 and has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Incidents have been steadily declining, but last year saw around double the number of incidents that occurred in 2020. With 598 reports as of April 21, this year looks set to be around 80% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
skift.com
08.05.2024 / 22:15
Portugal Turns Stopover Passengers into Tourists
Most travelers see little more than the duty-free store during a short connection, but there’s an alternative approach that’s gaining momentum.
insider.com
07.05.2024 / 10:45
A passenger had their flight ticket canceled after trying to smuggle a bag of snakes in their pants past TSA
A passenger was caught trying to smuggle a bag of snakes onto a plane at Miami International Airport last month.
cntraveler.com
06.05.2024 / 20:25
How to Maximize Your Points and Miles Strategy in May 2024
It’s almost summertime, and those family vacations aren’t going to plan themselves. If you are hoping to earn points and miles for upcoming trips to sunnier (or cooler) climes, there are some travel promotions that can double or triple those loyalty program earnings. And for the jetsetters who want to redeem those hard-earned points and miles, now is the time to start looking to find the best deal.
insider.com
03.05.2024 / 13:17
Unruly passengers have become more common, and many fliers are getting sick of it. On this flight, they cheered and chanted as a pair was escorted off after forcing a diversion.
Passengers on an EasyJet flight cheered, clapped, and chanted as police escorted two disruptive fellow fliers off the plane.
travelandleisure.com
02.05.2024 / 21:31
Score 4 Free Round-trip Flights With This Frontier Contest — Just in Time for Mother's Day
Frontier is looking to award 10 lucky winners with four round-trip flights — and is throwing in a special flower bouquet to celebrate Mother's Day. Each winner of the airline's "Flights and Flowers" contest will receive four round-trip tickets to be used within Frontier’s network, as well as a $100 bouquet from popular flower delivery service Teleflora.
travelandleisure.com
02.05.2024 / 17:43
This Airport Just Took the Top Spot for Cleanest in the World — See the Ranking
Tokyo’s Haneda Airport has managed to snag the top spot as world's most cleanest airport.
insider.com
02.05.2024 / 12:11
An airline startup with plans to fly A380s between London and New York made its first transatlantic flight
Global Airlines completed its first transatlantic flight with an Airbus A380 on Wednesday.
thepointsguy.com
26.04.2024 / 17:25
Why I'm changing up my points and miles strategy for the rest of 2024
Before joining TPG in 2021, I was a newbie to the world of points and miles. Despite traveling frequently throughout the previous decade, I was oblivious to the benefits of loyalty programs or how straightforward it could be to earn points or miles for airfare and hotel stays.
insider.com
24.04.2024 / 10:25
See inside Etihad's giant Airbus A380 that is flying to the US again after being nearly forced into retirement
Etihad Airways has finally reintroduced its beloved Airbus A380 superjumbo on flights to the US after years of uncertainty.
thepointsguy.com
23.04.2024 / 23:51
Considering British Airways' generous status match? I flew American Airlines with BA status
British Airways is offering a generous limited-time status match offer for U.S.-based members of its loyalty program, British Airways Executive Club.
skift.com
23.04.2024 / 07:41
Air New Zealand's ‘Unprecedented Competition’ From U.S. Rivals
Major U.S. airlines are bringing “unprecedented competition” to the transpacific market. The comments from Air New Zealand come as the Kiwi flag carrier lowered its earnings guidance for the current financial year.