A passenger on an American Airlines flight was restrained with duct tape and zip ties by crew and fellow passengers after allegedly launching a racist and homophobic outburst midair, forcing the aircraft to divert. Flight 618 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark was diverted to Baltimore late on 3 September after the man became violent, prompting law enforcement to remove him upon landing. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about unruly passenger behaviour and the measures crews now take to protect staff and travellers when confrontations escalate mid-flight.

Witnesses said the disturbance began about two hours into the flight when the man started shouting religious remarks at a passenger beside him before allegedly directing a racial slur at a Black flight attendant and making anti-gay comments. He reportedly assaulted the nearby passenger, prompting several other travellers, including a retired law enforcement officer, to intervene and restrain him with tape and zip ties supplied by cabin crew. American Airlines confirmed the diversion to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where police took the man into custody; the FBI said it is investigating and will consult prosecutors over possible federal charges, while Maryland Transportation Police have already filed state charges.