United flight turned back after a passenger refused to stay in economy class seat.
United Airlines flight UA871 from San Francisco to Taipei diverted and returned back to the US on Thursday, when an economy class passenger refused to stay in their cabin.
According to reports, for the first two hours of the flight, the unruly passenger kept visiting the business class section of the plane.
“He kept coming up to Polaris during the initial drink service. Flight attendants told him to return to his seat. He walked back but then a few moments later, he’s back up in the Business cabin,” the FlyerTalk user Live4Upgrades wrote.
Polaris is United Airlines’ business-class service.
Another passenger said the passenger was not actually restrained.
“Slight correction – passenger was never restrained. FA asked myself and a few other guys to help with the situation to keep an eye on the guy.
“Things calmed down once he got seated – IME, crew made the right decision to return. Just hope we make it out tonight.”
The incident was declared “threat level 2” as the aircraft retuned to San Francisco International Airport.
The plane was ultimately re-crewed and re-catered, before setting out to Taipei again more than eight hours late.
In a statement, the airline said: “United flight 871 returned to San Francisco due to a disruptive passenger. Law enforcement officials met the aircraft on arrival and removed the passenger. We expect to depart for Taipei later this evening.”
It is unclear if the unnamed passenger was arrested.
No images or video have surfaced online from the incident.
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