An American Airlines flight was diverted Thursday night after a passenger engaged in a disruptive mid-air tirade, hurling racist and homophobic slurs at fellow passengers and a flight attendant. The incident occurred on flight 618 from Dallas to Newark around 10:15 p.m. local time.
The passenger reportedly began shouting at his seatmate before becoming verbally abusive towards a flight attendant who intervened. According to reports, the individual used racial epithets and anti-gay slurs.
During the altercation, the man allegedly struck his seatmate and damaged a computer. He also pushed a female passenger who attempted to assist. Three other male passengers then intervened and restrained the unruly individual with duct tape and zip ties, securing him to his seat.
American Airlines confirmed the diversion to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport due to the disruptive passenger. Upon landing, law enforcement met the aircraft and assisted with the passenger's deplaning before the flight continued to its destination.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident. As of Thursday, the FAA had recorded more than 1,160 unruly passenger incidents in 2026.
The passenger was arrested by Maryland Transportation Police and booked on state charges. The FBI is cooperating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland to determine if federal charges will be filed.