British Airways Flight Diverted After Drunk Passenger Became “Abusive” Toward Crew Image courtesy of David Transier
Think of all the work it takes to put a giant metal flying machine in the air, filled with people, and get it to where it’s supposed to go. Which makes it almost worse that it only takes one intoxicated person to force that plane to change course. This time, it was a British Airways flight that had to be diverted on the way to Orlando.
The flight started in London and was heading to Orlando on Thursday afternoon when the pilot told air traffic controllers that the plane needed to land, WCVB reports (warning: link contains autoplay video), because someone on board was intoxicated and disruptive.
“Please be advised, we are (going to) have to divert our air flight to Boston,” the pilot said. “We have an abusive passenger on board, and as a result of his behavior, we would request a diversion in the next few minutes towards Boston.”
The flight landed safely, and the passenger was removed from the plane by Customs and Border Protection and Massachusetts State Police.
“Customs and Border Protection took custody of the 24-year-old man from Glasgow, Scotland,” Massachusetts State Police said in a statement via ABC News (more autoplay video, watch out!). “Massachusetts State Police will be summonsing the man for interfering with a flight crew.”
The flight took off shortly after and continued on to Orlando.
“Our customers and crew deserve to enjoy their flights, and not to suffer from any form of abuse,” British Airways said in a statement. “Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, and the appropriate action will always be taken.”
British Airways flight diverted to Logan due to unruly passenger [WCVB]
Orlando-Bound British Airways Flight Diverted to Boston Due to Unruly Passenger [ABC News]
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