Two US Flights Diverted After Unruly Passenger Incidents
Air travel in the United States saw two separate cases of unruly passengers this week, forcing flight diversions and emergency responses from crew and law enforcement.
In one incident, a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to Seattle was forced to return to Oahu after an intoxicated passenger became verbally abusive and attempted to bang on the cabin doors mid-flight. Flight HA22 departed Daniel K. Inouye International Airport at approximately 1:15 p.m. local time, carrying 284 passengers and 11 crew aboard a Boeing 787.
According to passengers on board, the flight had been in the air for nearly two hours when the woman began shouting and disturbing others. Cabin crew quickly intervened, and the captain made the decision to turn the aircraft around for safety reasons.
Hawaiian Airlines confirmed in a statement that the flight returned to Honolulu “due to a disruptive passenger who was being verbally abusive to our crew.” The statement added that the aircraft landed safely and that local law enforcement officers removed the passenger upon arrival.
“The safety of our crew and guests is our priority, and we apologize to our guests for this inconvenience,” the airline said.
The aircraft remained on the ground for several hours while the situation was resolved, eventually departing again at around 9 p.m. Passengers were provided meal vouchers and travel credits, with the rescheduled flight arriving in Seattle early the following morning.
Hawaii News Now reported that the state’s Sheriff Division is investigating the incident. The passenger’s identity and any potential charges have not yet been disclosed.
In a separate incident in Houston, a United Airlines flight arriving at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) also faced a serious disruption when a passenger tried to open an aircraft cabin door while the plane was taxiing.
Airport officials said the event occurred around 6:30 p.m. Sunday after United flight 788, arriving from Indianapolis, had landed safely and was taxiing to the gate. The passenger’s attempt to open the door was unsuccessful but triggered the aircraft’s emergency slide deployment, a costly and hazardous malfunction that required immediate response.
Houston Police Department officers quickly boarded the aircraft and took the individual into custody. United Airlines confirmed that all passengers were safe and were transported by bus to the terminal following the incident. Fire officials also verified that the aircraft was secure and that airport operations were not affected.
While the passenger’s identity and possible charges have not yet been made public, authorities say the investigation remains active.
A Growing Trend of In-Flight Disruptions
Both events underscore growing concerns across the aviation industry about disruptive passenger behavior, which has been rising in frequency since the pandemic. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were more than 2,000 reports of unruly passengers in 2024, with verbal abuse, intoxication, and refusal to follow crew instructions among the most common issues.
Airlines have responded by strengthening crew training and cooperation with law enforcement, while the FAA maintains a zero-tolerance policy for in-flight disruptions. Penalties for interfering with a flight crew can include fines of up to $37,000 per violation and potential criminal prosecution.
As air travel demand continues to rise, carriers and regulators alike are emphasizing that safety and respect for crew instructions are non-negotiable. While both recent flights ultimately landed safely, officials stress that even minor disturbances can create serious safety risks—especially when they occur at high altitude or during critical flight phases.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=Hawaiian+Airlines, https://airguide.info/?s=United+Airlines, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, khou.com, hawaiinewsnow.com