A United Airlines flight en route from London Heathrow to Newark Liberty International Airport was compelled to make an unscheduled landing in Bangor, Maine, due to the disruptive behavior of two passengers believed to be intoxicated. The airline confirmed that law enforcement officials boarded the aircraft upon its emergency landing and removed the unruly passengers, allowing the flight to resume its journey to Newark.
The incident, which caught the attention of passengers and subsequently shared on social media, involved officers escorting an unidentified man from his seat amidst applause from fellow passengers. A subsequent video depicted the man, seemingly restrained, being led down the aircraft’s steps and into a police vehicle.
While the videos circulated did not capture the events leading to the passengers’ removal, Bangor Police released a statement indicating their involvement alongside Customs and Border Protection and the FBI to address the situation caused by the “passenger disturbance.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) labeled the occurrence as a “passenger disturbance,” leading to the flight’s diversion to Bangor International Airport. Flight UA 883, operated by a Boeing 767, departed London slightly before its scheduled time and made its emergency landing in Bangor well ahead of its intended arrival in Newark, ensuring that several observant Jewish passengers aboard could reach their destination in time for the commencement of Shabbat at sundown.
United Airlines has taken the step of banning the two individuals involved in the disturbance from future flights pending a review of the incident. In aviation terms, a Level 3 threat usually denotes a situation involving potentially life-threatening behavior or the exhibition of a weapon, highlighting the seriousness with which the incident was treated.
The airline and the authorities have yet to disclose further details regarding the nature of the disruption or the identities of the individuals removed from the flight. The swift response by the crew and law enforcement ensured the safety of all passengers and crew aboard the flight, underscoring the importance of adhering to airline regulations and conduct standards.