Passenger Ordered to Pay United Airlines Over $20,000 After Disruptive Behavior on Flight
A passenger on a United Airlines flight from London to Newark in March has been ordered to pay the airline over $20,000 in restitution after his disruptive behavior prompted the crew to divert the plane to Bangor, Maine. Alexander Michael Dominic MacDonald, 30, of Chelmsford, England, was also sentenced to time already served for his actions.
Mr. MacDonald had been in custody since March 1, when he was arrested after his flight landed at Bangor International Airport. He pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight crew, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
According to an F.B.I. affidavit, Mr. MacDonald was heard arguing loudly with his girlfriend on United Airlines Flight 883. Despite being asked to lower his voice by the flight attendants, he continued to be verbally and physically aggressive. The situation escalated to the point where the crew felt it necessary to land the plane for the safety of everyone on board.
United Airlines stated that the plane landed in Bangor so the police could remove Mr. MacDonald and another disruptive customer who appeared to be intoxicated. Both passengers were banned from flying on United Airlines.
The incident is part of a larger trend of unruly behavior on airplanes, which reached record highs in 2021. The Federal Aviation Administration introduced a “zero-tolerance policy” in response, resulting in hefty fines for unruly passengers. The number of incidents has since dropped, with 2,075 reports in 2020, 2,455 in 2021, and 5,973 in 2021.
Mr. MacDonald’s lawyer stated that he apologized for his actions in court and looks forward to returning home to his family in England. The incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of disruptive behavior on flights and the importance of following crew instructions for the safety of all passengers.
