- United Airlines reports that a passenger was forcibly removed from a flight heading to Los Angeles after attempting to enter the cockpit and open the exit doors before takeoff.
- According to the FAA, the flight returned to the gate where law enforcement apprehended the “unruly” passenger.
A United Airlines passenger attempted to enter the cockpit and open the exit doors before takeoff on Friday, causing the flight to return to the gate.
The incident occurred on United Airlines flight 1641 at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport while the plane was taxiing on the runway at about 9 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines.
“The passenger was unsuccessful, and law enforcement apprehended the unruly passenger at the gate,” stated the FAA.
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United Airlines confirmed that the flight proceeded to Los Angeles without further incident.
The Chicago Police Department representatives have not yet responded to Insider’s request for comment.
This summer has seen a number of instances where passengers have exhibited disruptive behavior on flights.
In July, a passenger on a Sun Country Airlines flight climbed out of an emergency exit and jumped off the plane wing. A month later, a Delta Air Lines passenger threatened a flight attendant and put her in a chokehold during a flight.
As of September 3, the FAA has recorded 1,384 reports of unruly passengers in 2023. This is significantly higher than pre-pandemic numbers but much lower compared to 2022 when the FAA recorded 5,973 reports of unruly passengers.
