A 67-year-old man was restrained to his seat with duct tape after acting unruly on American Airlines flight AA 618 to Newark, NJ on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026.
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| Passenger restrained with duct tape; credit: Richard Olenick |
Juan Mejia and his friend Richard Olenick heard a disruption on their flight headed toward Newark, NJ. He knew that they needed to take action, so he got into the seat next to the passenger and began working to restrain the unruly passenger. That passenger is 67-year-old Arthur Lundeen (seen in the photo). The two men stayed with the passenger until law enforcement officials took custody of him.
The flight was diverted to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport around 10:15 p.m. After Lundeen was removed from the plane, the flight resumed to Newark, NJ.
Although these two men felt brave enough to take control of the situation, not everyone should act this way on an airline flight.
Here are some tips if you find yourself in that same situation.
What to Do If a Passenger Acts Unruly on an Airplane Flight
Most airplane flights are uneventful, but occasionally a passenger may become disruptive, aggressive, intoxicated, or otherwise unruly. Whether someone is yelling at a flight attendant, threatening another passenger, refusing to follow crew instructions, or creating a disturbance, it can be an uncomfortable—and sometimes frightening—experience.
The most important thing passengers can do is stay calm, avoid confrontation, and let the flight crew handle the situation.
Don't Confront the Unruly Passenger
Your first instinct may be to tell the passenger to calm down or stop causing a disturbance. However, confronting someone who is already angry or aggressive can make the situation worse.
Keep your distance and avoid arguing with the individual. Do not threaten, insult, touch, or attempt to physically restrain the passenger unless there is an immediate emergency and there is no safer alternative.
Remember that flight attendants are trained to deal with disruptive passengers and have procedures in place for handling these situations.
Notify a Flight Attendant
If the crew has not already noticed the behavior, quietly alert a flight attendant. Give them specific information about what you observed, including the passenger's seat number and what the person is doing.
You do not need to make yourself part of the confrontation. Simply provide the information and allow the crew to determine what action is appropriate.
If the passenger is threatening someone, attempting to enter a restricted area, fighting, or creating an immediate safety concern, notify a crew member as quickly as possible.
Move Away If You Can
If there is an unruly passenger sitting near you, ask a flight attendant whether you can move to another available seat. Creating physical distance can reduce the likelihood of becoming involved in the incident.
Do not move into an area that the crew has restricted or interfere with their ability to manage the situation.
Follow Crew Instructions
During an in-flight disturbance, listen carefully to the flight attendants and follow their instructions. The crew is responsible for maintaining order and passenger safety.
If you are asked to remain seated, move seats, or avoid an area of the aircraft, comply with those instructions.
What If the Situation Becomes Violent?
A disruptive passenger can sometimes become physically violent. If that happens, prioritize your own safety and the safety of those around you.
Avoid becoming involved unless necessary to protect yourself or another person from an immediate threat. If you can safely do so, alert the crew and follow their directions.
Once the aircraft lands, law enforcement may meet the flight and investigate the incident. Depending on the circumstances, an unruly passenger could potentially face serious consequences.
Remember: Don't Be a Hero
The best response to an unruly passenger is usually simple: stay calm, keep your distance, notify the crew, and follow instructions.
Trying to personally handle the situation can put you and other passengers at greater risk. Flight crews have procedures for dealing with disruptive behavior, and your cooperation can help them resolve the situation as safely and quickly as possible.
A passenger's bad behavior should never turn into an even more dangerous situation because another traveler decided to confront them.
