A Delta Airlines plane flies past a full moon seen from Crawford Park in Rye Brook. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. Delta has flights out of Westchester County Airport to Atlanta and Detroit.
San Diego, California – A Delta Airlines flight traveling from Atlanta to San Diego was diverted to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Saturday after an unruly passenger removed his clothing and engaged in truly erratic mid-flight activity.
The disruption occurred on Delta Flight 731, approximately two hours into the trip. Passengers reported that the man began shouting and disrobing, repeating statements about wanting to go home and see his family. His behavior raised concerns among those onboard, prompting nearby passengers to intervene in an attempt to restrain him while waiting for flight attendants to arrive.
Over the course of about 30 minutes, crew members worked to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of the other passengers. The decision was ultimately made to divert the aircraft to Texas to remove the disruptive individual. Once the plane landed at Dallas-Fort Worth, four law enforcement officers boarded the aircraft and took the man into custody. His hands were bound with yellow plastic restraints, and he was escorted off the plane without resistance.
The flight remained grounded in Dallas for approximately 90 minutes before resuming its journey to San Diego. No injuries were reported during the incident, and the remaining passengers arrived safely at their destination later that evening.
The airline acknowledged the diversion in a written statement, emphasizing that the safety of both customers and crew remains its top priority. Delta also thanked passengers for their patience and apologized for the inconvenience caused by the delay.
While the motive behind the passenger’s behavior remains unclear, some onboard believed he may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. As of Monday, local law enforcement had not confirmed whether the individual would face any charges in connection to the incident.
Despite the disruption, passengers praised the flight attendants and airline crew for their swift and composed response. Those onboard credited Delta’s professionalism and calm leadership during what could have otherwise been a far more chaotic and dangerous episode.
