Sign up for Simon Calder’s free travel emails for expert advice and savings deals
Receive Simon Calder’s travel emails
A flight from London to Newark, New Jersey had to be diverted after a “drunk” boyfriend got into an argument with his partner.
A plane was diverted to Bangor International Airport on Friday due to poor etiquette by a passenger, airline officials said.
A spokesperson said further flights will be prohibited while the matter is considered.
Police said the two passengers appeared to be intoxicated and disorderly and were removed from United Airlines Flight 883, which landed in Bangor late Friday morning, a spokeswoman said.
The plane originally carried 150 passengers, but then ended its flight to New Jersey. The security threat level was classified as Level 2, which indicates an “increased risk to safety.”
When the Boeing 767 landed, it was greeted by officers from the Bangor Police Department.
(Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Two passengers were removed from the plane, one of whom was detained and charged with interfering with and assaulting a flight attendant, according to court documents.
According to a statement from the FBI, the passenger became combative after flight attendants intervened during a loud argument with his girlfriend, and continued to be combative and physically aggressive after being restrained with plastic “flex cuffs.” The situation continued.
The government requested that the passengers be detained pending a detention hearing.
“United Airlines Flight 883 landed in Bangor this morning due to a disturbance caused by two passengers who appeared to be intoxicated,” an airline spokesperson told PEOPLE. “Law enforcement officials removed the two passengers and the plane has since re-departed for Newark Liberty International Airport.”
The statement added: “Customers will be prohibited from flying on United Airlines in the future while we review this matter.”
“Two passengers were removed from the plane and CBP and FBI are investigating,” Bangor Police Department spokesman Sergeant Jason McAmbry told PEOPLE.