Passenger Allegedly Assaulted on Delta Flight from Atlanta to LA: 'No Tolerance for Disruptive Conduct'
A Delta flight had to return to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Monday morning due to a "haze" in the cabin. Authorities are investigating an incident where a passenger reportedly attacked another traveler on a Delta flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA confirmed that Delta Flight 501 landed safely at Los Angeles International Airport around 11:45 a.m. on Monday after the crew reported a disturbance involving a passenger. The incident occurred on an Airbus A350 en route from Atlanta.
The FAA is conducting an investigation into the alleged assault. A Delta spokesperson stated that the airline is cooperating with law enforcement and maintains a strict policy against unruly behavior.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that the flight crew said an adult male had to be restrained after allegedly biting one passenger and hitting others. The unruly passenger was taken to the hospital for a psychological evaluation, and medical personnel later attended to an injured passenger.
The FAA noted that airlines have reported over 1,800 incidents involving disruptive passengers in 2024. One such incident involved a flight from Cincinnati to Las Vegas on December 23, which was diverted to Kansas City due to a disruptive passenger.
As of 2025, more than 300 similar incidents have been recorded. The FAA emphasizes that it takes legal action against passengers who assault, threaten, or interfere with airline crew members, with potential civil penalties reaching up to $37,000 per violation.