Unruly Breeze passenger causes midair chaos

A drunk Breeze Airways passenger caused midair chaos, broke restraints twice, and prompted an emergency landing before being taken into custody.

Flight chaos ends in arrest after intoxicated passenger yells slurs and wrestles with crew

An intoxicated man aboard Breeze Flight MX704 from Norfolk, Virginia to Los Angeles disrupted the flight four hours in. The incident prompted an emergency landing in Grand Junction, Colorado, after the passenger allegedly shouted racial slurs at crew and waved a skateboard. Airline staff restrained him twice with plastic restraints, but he is said to have broken free both times. No serious injuries were reported, though a flight attendant and a guest were evaluated for minor injuries, according to Breeze Airways. After landing, the passenger was arrested by Grand Junction police at the FBI’s direction and remains in custody as federal charges are prepared.

Video circulated on social media showing attempts to restrain the passenger with zip ties and a bystander later lifting him up and placing him back in his seat. The FBI confirmed the incident will be forwarded to the US Attorney’s Office for Colorado for charges. Breeze Airways said it would support crew and guests and work to get them to their final destination safely.

The episode underscores how quickly an in-flight disturbance can escalate into a security challenge. It also highlights the fragile balance crews must strike between restraint and safety, and the role bystanders can play when trained staff struggle to regain control. The involvement of federal authorities signals that midair disruptions are treated as potential criminal incidents, not merely misbehavior. This event may prompt airlines to revisit training for handling intoxicated passengers and the use of restraints, and it could stir public discussion about passenger responsibility and airline security protocols.

Highlights

Safety on every flight is a shared obligation for passengers and crews alike.