Chaos erupted on American Airlines Flight 2506 as a passenger's antisemitic outburst led to a physical altercation, resulting in his removal. (Twitter)
A passenger aboard an American Airlines flight was removed from the aircraft in a tumultuous incident after directing an antisemitic slur at a flight attendant, as per both eyewitness accounts and official reports.
The chaotic scene unfolded aboard American Airlines Flight 2506 en route to Philadelphia from Tampa International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, even before the plane commenced its journey.
In video footage shared on social media, the disruptive passenger, clad in a blue and white striped shirt, can be seen hurling insults at both crew members and fellow travelers. He accused others of ganging up on him as he was being escorted off the plane.
In one particularly egregious instance, the individual referred to a flight attendant using a derogatory term, as captured in another online video clip.
Expressing frustration, he exclaimed, "I'm trying to get to my home country, and you all are making it harder for me."
A confrontation ensued when he confronted another passenger, clad in a blue pullover, in the aisle, accusing him of encouraging his removal from the flight.
Tensions escalated further when the unruly passenger alleged that the other individual had touched him, leading to a physical altercation that saw the man in blue placing him in a headlock, as depicted in the video.
Amid the scuffle, a woman identifying herself as a police officer intervened, instructing both men to cease their physical altercation.
Eventually, with the assistance of the woman and another passenger, the disruptive individual was escorted off the plane.
According to the Tampa International Airport Police Department, the man was apprehended outside the aircraft later that evening and charged with disorderly intoxication and two counts of battery.
American Airlines acknowledged the incident, attributing the delay of the flight to the disturbance caused by the unruly passenger. The airline expressed gratitude for the professionalism of its team and apologized to passengers for any inconvenience caused.
