Delta Passengers and Crew Detain 'Unruly Passenger' on Flight to Atlanta

Passengers on board a Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta helped to subdue an unruly passenger who was reportedly trying to open the aircraft’s door mid-air and who caused the flight to be diverted to Oklahoma City on June 11.

Footage recorded by passenger Steve Denton shows air stewards and passengers struggling with someone as an aggravated male voice is heard.

Another passenger said a man had tried to open the plane’s door mid-flight. The passenger, Benjamin Curlee, said a person made an announcement asking passengers to take their seats and get ready to put on their oxygen masks. He also said this person was an off-duty flight attendant, though this claim has not been verified or corroborated. The passenger added that the plane’s pilot then called for “all able-bodied men” to come to the front of the plane because there was an emergency, but before he could reach the front of the plane, the situation was resolved.

“Thanks to the crew and passengers of Delta Flight 1730 (LAX to ATL) who assisted in detaining an unruly passenger as the flight diverted to Oklahoma City (OKC). The aircraft landed without incident and the passenger was removed by law enforcement. We apologize to our customers for the delay and any additional inconvenience this caused,” a Delta spokesperson said in a statement to Storyful. Credit: Steve Denton via Storyful