Woman diverts flight after argument ‘over wine’ – ends up banned

A “disruptive passenger” has been banned from future United Airlines flights after causing a Los Angeles-bound flight to divert to Phoenix. The passenger was upset over an incident with wine and refusing orders from the flight crew, according to the airline.

The incident took place on United flight 1813 on Tuesday, which departed from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on time at 9:43 p.m.

Footage was posted on TikTok by another passenger @bperkins33, where the woman was reportedly upset because “she couldn’t get her wine,” according to the caption. 

In the TikTok video, the woman was standing up and yelling at another traveler, saying that she’s being accused. “Beat me up,” the woman can be heard saying to the other passenger. 

In the footage, a flight attendant yelled at the woman to return to her seat. “Miss, if you don’t sit down we’re going to land the plane and you’re going to go in handcuffs,” the flight attendant said. 

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“Why are you doing this? I helped you get on the aircraft and this is how you’re going to treat me,” the flight attendant said once the woman was in her seat. “I gave you a hug because you told me you were having anxiety and I hugged you, and I knew you were drinking wine and you’re not allowed to and I still let you on the aircraft.”

“Law enforcement officials met the aircraft on arrival and removed the passenger, and the flight subsequently departed for Los Angeles later that evening,” a spokesperson for United Airlines said. 

The flight landed in Los Angeles an hour and 26 minutes after scheduled arrival.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com