Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Violent Passenger Incident on United

March 10, 2023 - On Monday, the Department of Justice charged a passenger for allegedly attempting to open an emergency exit door while aboard a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Boston and then allegedly attempting to stab a flight attendant in the neck.

“Our union is proud of the crew and relieved that no one sustained life-threatening physical injuries,” said AFA President Sara Nelson. “Violence has no place anywhere and certainly not in a closed cabin flying several miles in the air. Aviation's first responders are charged with the safety of everyone onboard. When incidents like this happen, it not only risks the safety of the crew involved, it takes away from Flight Attendants' ability to respond to medical, safety, or security emergencies. Bottom line: it puts everyone at risk and there’s zero tolerance for that.” Read more >

When incidents like this happen, AFA Local and MEC committees and International Officers and staff respond as part of the critical incident response teams to support and protect the crew involved. AFA EAP is always available at 800-424-2406.

• WATCH: Man Accused of Trying to Stab Flight Attendant, MSNBC
• WATCH: A Passenger's Threats, NBC 10 Boston
• WATCH: Passenger Accused of Trying to Open Door on United Flight, Stab Flight Attendant, CNN

• Man accused of trying to stab attendant with a broken metal spoon on a United flight leaned over and asked another passenger about the emergency exit door before attack: feds, Business Insider 

• Massachusetts man arrested for stabbing United Airlines flight attendant, The Guardian