Delta Flight Diverts After Crew Uses Beverage Carts to Restrain Passenger

Delta Air Lines flight attendants allegedly used beverage carts to block and restrain a disruptive passenger during a long-haul flight from the United States to Japan, an incident that ultimately forced an unscheduled diversion to Alaska and led to federal criminal charges.

The incident occurred on January 18 aboard a Delta-operated service from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to Tokyo. According to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for Alaska and obtained by PEOPLE, the disruption escalated to the point where the aircraft was diverted to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

Court documents state that the passenger, a 64-year-old man, began exhibiting concerning behaviour shortly after boarding. Flight attendants reported that he appeared disoriented, was unable to locate his assigned seat, and was not speaking coherently. One crew member later told investigators they initially believed the passenger might be experiencing symptoms of dementia.

According to an affidavit by an FBI special agent, the situation escalated in flight when the passenger repeatedly left his seat, wandered the aisle, and became verbally abusive toward crew members. At one point, the complaint alleges that the passenger stepped over an armrest and forcibly pushed a female flight attendant from row 49 toward the rear of the cabin. Two male flight attendants intervened, placing their hands on the passenger’s shoulders to separate him from the crew member and escort him back to his seat.

Despite that intervention, the disruption continued. The passenger later attempted to move toward the first-class cabin. Flight attendants again redirected him and, according to the complaint, positioned beverage carts across the aisle to prevent him from leaving his seat area. Investigators described the tactic as an effort to manage the situation and reduce the risk of further confrontation.

Flight crew members ultimately concluded that the passenger would not comply with instructions and feared another incident could occur during the roughly six hours remaining in the flight. Out of caution, the captain elected to divert the aircraft to Anchorage.

Upon landing, law enforcement boarded the aircraft. An FBI agent said the passenger was immediately restrained and removed from the plane. Delta confirmed that law enforcement and emergency medical services met the aircraft and that the passenger was transported to a local medical facility due to a potential medical issue.

The passenger was formally indicted on January 20 and arrested on January 23. He currently faces one count of interfering with flight crew members and one count of assault. An arraignment and detention hearing were scheduled for January 26.

Defense filings later argued that a hospital physician indicated imaging revealed metastatic brain tumors that could have caused the passenger’s behaviour, calling incarceration inappropriate given his medical condition. A motion to quash the arrest warrant was denied by the court.

The case underscores the complex challenges flight crews face when managing disruptive passengers, particularly on long-haul international flights where diversion options are limited and safety risks can escalate quickly.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com