United Airlines Flight UA1813 Diverts Due to Passenger Disruption Over Wine Dispute
In an unexpected turn of events, a United Airlines flight encountered a diversion when a female passenger insisted on uncorking her own bottle of wine, sparking a heated disagreement with both the cabin crew and fellow travelers.
Originally en route from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on July 25, 2023, Flight UA1813 was rerouted to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to facilitate the disembarkation of the contentious passenger.
A resourceful passenger named Blake Perkins managed to capture moments of the altercation on video, showcasing the woman’s vocal clashes with both the flight crew and her fellow travelers.
According to Perkins’ account, the passenger in question was adamant about enjoying her personally brought wine while aboard the flight.
While the Transport Security Administration (TSA) does permit passengers to bring alcoholic beverages with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of up to 70% on board, there are specific restrictions. Regulations established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and its partner airlines, however, expressly forbid the consumption of self-supplied alcohol on the aircraft, stipulating that alcohol must be served by the airline staff.
In one of the video clips, the woman, humorously referred to as “Wine Karen” by Perkins, can be seen repeatedly urging a fellow passenger to exhibit decorum, even as she refuses to remain seated.
A sympathetic flight attendant is observed attempting to mediate the escalating situation.
In a subsequent video snippet, a male individual, presumably a flight attendant, raises his voice to insist that the woman resume her seat, cautioning her that failure to comply could result in the plane’s landing and her subsequent arrest.
Unfazed, the woman confidently responds, “Let’s do it,” persisting in her confrontation.
Accompanying a video caption, Perkins writes: “Another video capturing the incident involving the individual who was determined to enjoy her wine. The plane had to divert to allow her to be escorted off, leading to even greater delays. All of this, over a glass of wine.”
In an official communication provided to The Daily Dot, United Airlines disclosed that the passenger in question has been barred from future flights with the airline as an inquiry into the incident unfolds.
The statement reads: “On Tuesday, July 25, United Flight 1813 was rerouted to Phoenix due to a disruptive passenger who continuously defied the flight attendant’s directives to return to her seat. Law enforcement personnel met the aircraft upon arrival, facilitating the removal of the passenger. Subsequently, the flight resumed its journey to Los Angeles later that evening. The customer has been prohibited from utilizing United’s services in the future, pending our comprehensive review of this matter.”