Brawl over face mask erupts on American Airlines flight to Charlotte, video shows
A Monday morning flight from Las Vegas to Charlotte couldn’t depart when a customer refused to put on a face covering in accordance with American Airlines’ policy.
Then came the punches.
A customer on Flight 1665 from Las Vegas McCarran International Airport to Charlotte Douglas International Airport “failed to comply with our mandatory face covering policy” after boarding and was asked to leave before the plane took off, American Airlines spokesperson Crystal Byrd told McClatchy News.
The passenger “became disruptive, resulting in an altercation with other passengers,” she said.
Video shared on social media showed the two passengers fighting in the aisle before they tumbled into a row of seats. Caryn Ross, who posted the video, captioned it, “So much for social distancing.”
Her husband Jack Ross, who recorded the video, told Storyful the fight initially appeared to be over a seat assignment.
Law enforcement were called “and the woman in the pink shirt left the plane,” according to Storyful. Byrd confirmed the Las Vegas Police Department was involved.
American Airlines has required all passengers to wear a face covering on board since May 11, according to Byrd, and the policy has since been amended to make masks mandatory at airports as well.
The airline also announced in June that passengers who fail to comply can be blacklisted from future flights.
The person involved in Monday’s altercation was put on an “internal refuse list” pending an investigation.
This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 9:21 AM with the headline "Brawl over face mask erupts on American Airlines flight to Charlotte, video shows."
