A United Airlines Boeing 777 traveling from Milan, Italy, to Newark diverted to Bangor, Maine, after an intoxicated passenger in first class attempted to open an emergency exit door mid-flight and bit a flight attendant who tried to restrain her.
The incident occurred aboard United Airlines flight UA-18, which had departed Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) bound for Newark Liberty International Airport. The widebody aircraft was cruising over the Atlantic when cabin crew were forced to intervene after the woman, reportedly a Russian national, became disruptive.
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The passenger, seated in the premium cabin, had allegedly consumed a significant quantity of alcohol before her behavior escalated. According to reports, she attempted to open one of the aircraft's emergency exit doors while the Boeing 777 was in flight, prompting flight attendants to physically restrain her.
During the struggle, the woman bit one of the cabin crew members. The injury was serious enough that the captain elected to divert the aircraft rather than continue to Newark, choosing Bangor International Airport in Maine as the nearest suitable landing site.
Bangor has long served as a common diversion point for transatlantic flights experiencing medical emergencies or security incidents. Its long runway, customs facilities, and relatively uncongested airspace make it an attractive option for widebody aircraft crossing the North Atlantic.
Upon landing at Bangor International Airport, law enforcement officers boarded the aircraft and removed the passenger. She was taken into custody pending further investigation by federal authorities. Interfering with a flight crew and tampering with aircraft equipment, including emergency exit doors, are serious federal offenses in the United States and can carry substantial penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines.
The flight attendant who was bitten received medical attention. Bite injuries are treated seriously by aviation medical protocols because of the risk of infection and the potential transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
After the disruptive passenger was removed and the aircraft was refueled, United Airlines continued the flight from Bangor to its original destination at Newark Liberty International Airport. Passengers arrived several hours behind schedule.
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In a statement, United Airlines addressed the disruption and thanked its crew for their handling of the situation. The airline emphasized that safety remained its top priority throughout the incident.
Passengers on board reportedly described the situation as frightening, particularly given the woman's attempt to open the emergency exit door. While modern commercial aircraft door mechanisms are designed to prevent them from being opened at cruising altitude due to the enormous pressure differential between the cabin and the outside atmosphere, any attempt to tamper with an emergency exit is treated as a critical threat by cabin crew.
The incident adds to a series of unruly passenger events that have plagued the aviation industry in recent years. Airlines, regulators, and unions representing cabin crew have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement and harsher penalties for passengers who assault crew members or endanger flights.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for unruly passengers, with the agency empowered to levy civil penalties of up to $43,658 per violation. Criminal charges filed by the Department of Justice can result in fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to 20 years for the most serious offenses, including interference with flight crew members.
Alcohol consumption is frequently a common thread in these incidents. Cabin crew unions have long argued that airport bars and duty free alcohol sales contribute to intoxicated behavior on board. Some airlines have taken steps to limit the amount of alcohol served in flight, particularly on longer routes where the effects of altitude can amplify intoxication.
For Bangor International Airport, hosting a diverted transatlantic flight is nothing new. The airport handles dozens of such diversions each year, ranging from medical emergencies to mechanical issues and, increasingly, disruptive passenger incidents. Its location on the northeastern tip of the United States makes it the natural first port of call for aircraft arriving from Europe or the Middle East that need to land quickly after entering North American airspace.
Local law enforcement, customs officers, and airport ground staff are well practiced in dealing with such diversions, often removing disruptive passengers within minutes of an aircraft coming to a stop on the ramp.
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The Russian woman now faces potentially serious federal charges. Interfering with flight crew members carries a maximum federal prison sentence of 20 years, and assaulting a crew member can result in additional charges. Attempts to tamper with emergency exits, even unsuccessful ones, are typically prosecuted aggressively.
Federal prosecutors in Maine will likely review the case and determine what charges to bring. She may also face a civil lawsuit from the injured flight attendant, in addition to any restitution ordered by a court.
United Airlines has not publicly commented on the specific identity of the passenger or the nature of the charges she may face. The airline typically bans passengers involved in such serious incidents from flying with the carrier again, and the FAA maintains a no fly list of passengers deemed too dangerous to travel on US airlines.