A disturbing incident aboard a Southwest Airlines flight from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Kansas City has gone viral after shocking video footage showed a woman engaging in violent and disruptive behavior. The footage, which was shared widely on Reddit, shows the woman Spitting and Pulling Passenger’s Hair, and screaming uncontrollably.
The shocking nature of the event, combined with the virality of the video, has reignited conversations about in-flight safety, passenger conduct, and how airlines handle unruly individuals mid-flight.
The incident, reportedly triggered by the woman’s refusal to sit next to a “larger” passenger, escalated to physical aggression during the boarding process. As more footage and details emerge online, the incident has not only attracted widespread media attention but has also raised questions about the protocols for dealing with aggressive passengers, the effectiveness of in-flight security, and whether the airline industry is doing enough to prevent such outbursts.
Woman Spitting and Pulling Passenger’s Hair
The videos circulating online begin with a seemingly minor verbal dispute that quickly turned into a violent altercation. In the initial footage posted on Reddit, the visibly agitated woman can be seen grabbing the hair of another female passenger. The aggression doesn’t end there. As the airline staff and other passengers rush to de-escalate the situation, the woman continues to yell and becomes physically combative.
In a particularly jarring moment captured on video, she spits at the same woman she had earlier assaulted. A Southwest Airlines crew member is seen holding the aggressor’s head down in an effort to restrain her. As the situation spirals out of control, more passengers get involved, trying to keep the peace while the crew works to contain the outburst.
A second clip that surfaced later shows the aftermath of the incident. The woman can be seen resisting restraint, screaming, and lashing out even after being held down. According to Reddit users who claimed to have been on the flight or seen the full video, the woman’s aggressive behavior began after she was asked to sit next to a plus-sized passenger.
People have gone absolutely insane
— Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) June 18, 2025
pic.twitter.com/eGVAGEcQTP
One user recounted that the woman shouted, “All this because I didn’t want to sit next to a fat lady,” during the initial confrontation, revealing the disturbing origin of her behavior. Many online commenters speculated that alcohol or possible mental health issues might have contributed to the meltdown, though these remain unconfirmed.
Flight Crew Response and Professionalism
Despite the shocking behavior of the passenger, the response from the Southwest Airlines flight crew was largely praised. The staff attempted to de-escalate the situation with calm and professionalism, even as the incident became increasingly volatile. In a brief statement provided to Newsweek, Southwest Airlines confirmed that the unruly passenger was removed from the flight and denied boarding.
“We commend our Team for their professionalism during the incident,” the airline stated, signaling their support for the crew members who had to manage the difficult and dangerous confrontation. The flight was ultimately able to depart without further disruption after the woman was escorted off the plane in handcuffs.
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The way the crew handled the confrontation reflects their training. According to Cabin Crew Wings, flight attendants are trained to de-escalate potentially violent situations by remaining calm and non-provocative. Standard practice involves using discreet, quiet interventions to avoid embarrassment or escalation. However, in this instance, the speed and intensity of the woman’s behavior offered little time for subtle de-escalation techniques.
Flight attendants are also trained to coordinate with colleagues when a passenger becomes physically aggressive. Seat changes and other strategies are often used to defuse tension, but in this case, the aggressiveness and rapid escalation rendered such tactics ineffective.
The incident brings to light the emotional toll these situations take on crew members, who must balance their duty to ensure passenger safety with the need to respond quickly and appropriately to unpredictable behavior. It also highlights the importance of crew training in crisis management and the necessity for airlines to have robust protocols in place for handling such disruptive passengers.
Consequences and Public Reaction
The video, which quickly gained traction on social media, sparked intense public reaction. Viewers were shocked and appalled by the woman’s conduct, with many calling for her to be permanently banned from flying. Although her identity has not been officially released, the likelihood of her being placed on a no-fly list is high.
Travel experts have noted that such behavior typically results in severe consequences. According to Travel+Leisure, “unruly behavior is the number one reason passengers end up on an airline’s no-fly list.” This includes any action that threatens the safety of others or prevents airline staff from carrying out their duties. The consequences can extend beyond being denied future boarding; individuals may also face criminal charges, fines, and public scrutiny.
“Enjoy never flying again,” one Reddit user commented, echoing the sentiments of many who were outraged by the woman’s actions. While it’s not yet clear whether legal charges have been filed, the visual evidence captured by multiple passengers makes it likely that the incident will have legal ramifications.
In recent years, airlines have seen a rise in in-flight altercations, often fueled by alcohol consumption, mental health challenges, or disputes over seating and mask mandates. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States has introduced stricter penalties for disruptive passengers, including fines of up to $37,000 and potential jail time.
This particular incident adds to the growing database of viral videos that highlight how a single disruptive passenger can endanger the safety and comfort of an entire plane full of people. While airlines are improving protocols and empowering flight attendants with more training and authority, many believe that more needs to be done, including mandatory pre-boarding assessments for visibly intoxicated passengers and stricter rules around alcohol service.
The incident also sheds light on broader issues of social behavior, entitlement, and public respect in shared spaces. The woman’s comments about not wanting to sit next to a plus-sized person brought another layer of cruelty and discrimination into an already volatile situation. Many online users expressed sympathy for the targeted passenger, who became the victim of an unprovoked verbal and physical assault.
As society becomes more aware of the importance of treating all individuals with respect and dignity, incidents like this show how far we still have to go. The fact that the confrontation was recorded and widely circulated ensures that the discussion around it will continue to evolve, with increasing calls for accountability and systemic changes in how airlines manage disruptive passengers.
In the end, while the woman’s actions were shocking and disturbing, they also served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of public travel and the critical importance of maintaining decorum, respect, and personal responsibility in confined and stressful environments like airplanes.
Whether this particular individual will face criminal charges or psychological evaluation remains to be seen, but the consequences of her outburst—both personal and public—will likely follow her for years. The airline’s swift action, the professionalism of its crew, and the visibility of the incident all reinforce the need for strong passenger conduct policies and firm enforcement to ensure that flying remains a safe experience for everyone.