MIAMI – A violent altercation between passengers on an American Airlines flight from Miami to Charlotte, North Carolina, was caught on cellphone video, showing a man in a heated dispute with a 53-year-old woman sitting next to him, airline officials confirmed Friday.
Authorities said the incident occurred Wednesday and ended with the involvement of other passengers and local law enforcement.
The confrontation reportedly began when a man accused the woman of slapping him during an argument mid-flight, according to investigators.
In the video, passengers can be heard telling the man to take his hands off the woman, as he shouted, “She slapped me!” while claiming self-defense.
Authorities said several men on the flight jumped in to help the woman, attempting to subdue the man as tensions escalated.
The incident occurred on American Airlines Flight 310, which had departed from Miami International Airport and was en route to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, according to an American Airlines spokesperson.
American Airlines later released a statement confirming the altercation, which you can read here:
“Two customers traveling together were engaged in an altercation aboard American Airlines Flight 310. Local law enforcement responded and escorted the customers from the Charlotte airport. We do not tolerate violence, and we thank our team members for their professionalism in managing a difficult situation.”
After landing, authorities said officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department boarded the plane to investigate.
A police report confirmed that the woman involved in the incident had alcohol in her system. The relationship between the man and the woman was not disclosed.
Police have not disclosed whether any arrests were made.
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