Alexander Michael Dominic MacDonald, an unruly and physically aggressive passenger on a United Airlines flight, was ordered to pay the company more than $20,000 after his behavior forced the pilot to divert the Newark-bound plane to Maine. MacDonald, a 30-year-old from England, must pay $20,638 in restitution to United for threatening to “mess up the plane” during the March 1 incident. He pleaded guilty to one count of interference with flight crew members and was sentenced to time served before being sent back to the UK by US Immigration officers.
During the flight from London’s Heathrow Airport, MacDonald was arguing loudly with his girlfriend and was asked to quiet down by the head flight attendant. While he initially complied, he began yelling at another flight attendant shortly after. The situation escalated when MacDonald threatened the head attendant and physically cornered him, causing concern among the crew members. Despite efforts to calm him down and restrain him, MacDonald continued his disruptive behavior, prompting the crew to decide to land the plane in Bangor, Maine, for the safety of everyone on board.
Once the plane landed in Maine, MacDonald and his girlfriend were removed from the aircraft by law enforcement. Videos posted on social media captured MacDonald being escorted off the plane with his hands and ankles zip-tied as other passengers cheered. Reports of unruly passengers reached a peak in 2021 after travel restrictions were lifted, with nearly 6,000 incidents reported to the FAA. While the numbers have since decreased, they remain above pre-pandemic levels, with 2,075 incidents reported in 2021 and 649 so far in 2024.
The FBI affidavit detailed MacDonald’s aggressive behavior towards the flight attendants, with him threatening to “mess up the plane” and physically cornering one of them. Despite attempts to restrain him, he continued to be a threat to the safety of the crew and passengers on board. The decision to divert the plane to Maine was made in the best interest of everyone on board, ensuring that MacDonald was removed from the aircraft and taken into custody by law enforcement.
MacDonald’s sentencing included a restitution fee to United Airlines and time served for his actions. He was subsequently deported back to the UK by US Immigration officers. The incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of disruptive behavior on flights, which can endanger the safety of everyone on board. The increase in unruly passenger incidents in recent years highlights the importance of addressing these issues and maintaining a safe and secure travel environment for all passengers. Travel regulations and protocols continue to be in place to prevent such disturbances and ensure the safety of airline passengers and crew members.