A United Airlines flight bound for Newark was diverted to Bangor, Maine, on Tuesday after a passenger allegedly became unruly, bit a flight attendant, and had to be restrained by multiple individuals. The incident occurred on United Airlines Flight 18, traveling from Milan, Italy.
Kristina Kedysheva, 36, reportedly demanded more alcohol and became disruptive when her requests were denied. According to an affidavit, Kedysheva filmed flight crew members and called them “racist” when they refused to serve her additional drinks. She was described as slurring her words and acting “nutty” by a fellow passenger.
After refusing a captain’s order to return to her seat, Kedysheva allegedly reached for the aircraft’s rear door handle. Five passengers and flight crew members then restrained her. During the struggle, she is accused of biting a flight attendant on the wrist and kicking them, causing shoulder injuries and breathing difficulties. Another passenger also sustained scratches requiring medical treatment.
Kedysheva remained agitated for approximately three hours while restrained, prompting the diversion. Upon landing in Bangor, she was arrested by local police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, and FBI Special Agents.
During an interview with an FBI agent with a Russian language interpreter, Kedysheva stated she was traveling to New York for a friend's 40th birthday party. She admitted to consuming wine and whiskey on the flight but claimed the flight crew became rude after she was refused more alcohol. She denied biting anyone but conceded she may have scratched someone. Video footage from her cellphone appeared to show her arguing with flight attendants and refusing to sit down.
Kedysheva appeared in federal court in Bangor on Wednesday facing charges of interference with a flight crew member or attendant and assault.
Airlines have reported 1,200 unruly passenger incidents in 2026, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Passengers found to have assaulted crew members can face fines up to $43,658 per violation. The FAA is investigating the incident.
United Airlines confirmed that Flight 18, a Boeing 777 carrying 274 passengers and 13 crew members, landed safely in Bangor. The aircraft continued to Newark after Kedysheva was removed and handed over to law enforcement.
This incident follows a similar event days earlier where an American Airlines flight bound for Newark was diverted to Baltimore due to a passenger’s disruptive behavior. That passenger, Arthur Lundeen, allegedly engaged in racist and homophobic behavior and became physically abusive before being restrained with duct tape and zip ties.