A passenger wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat forced a United Airlines flight from Shanghai to land in San Francisco on Sunday after he became disruptive when he was asked to leave.
A passenger wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat got kicked off a United Airlines flight from Shanghai on Sunday after he became disruptive, officials said.
The unidentified passenger was boarding flight 87 at Shanghai Pudong International Airport when he refused to comply with the crew’s instructions, according to United spokesman Jonathan Guerin. When the passenger was asked to exit the Newark, N. J.-bound flight, he “became increasingly disruptive, ” according to the spokesman.
“For safety and security reasons, local law enforcement was called to assist and the customer eventually left the aircraft on his own accord, ” Guerin said.
Because of the disruption the passengers had to get off the plane – which eventually had to make an unscheduled stop in San Francisco to get a new crew.
In a Facebook post, passenger Clark Gredoña described the events as they unfolded. He said the man claimed that because “he couldn’t get an upgrade, he’s entitled to all three seats next to him even though they’re assigned to somebody else.”
Cellphone videos taken abroad the aircraft showed the man shouting, “I am entitled to that seat, ” then screaming at fellow passengers.
In one exchange the man says, “This stupid man over here that does not know how to speak English and it doesn’ t make sense, moron.”
After walking off the aircraft, the man was met with jeers from a gaggle of travelers inside the airport.
Some travelers screamed, “Charge him.” Cellphone video obtained by NBC showed others yelling, “ Lock him up .”
“We’ re grateful for the patience shown by our customers who endured the disruptive behavior of this passenger, as well as the exceptional poise and professionalism of our flight crew, ” Guerin said.
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