A passenger aboard United Airlines Flight 502 from Austin to Los Angeles was restrained after an outburst that involved repeatedly stomping on his seat.
The incident, which occurred on 16 November, was caught on video and has since gone viral online.
The footage shows the man, dressed in a hoodie and sweatpants, standing on his reclined seat and violently kicking it while stunned passengers looked on.
Fellow flyerGino Galofaro, who captured the event, said he awoke to the commotion less than an hour before the flight landed at LAX, reported the New York Post. Despite the disruptive behaviour, initial attempts to intervene were minimal.
Galofaro, a San Diego-based addiction counsellor, eventually joined two other passengers to restrain the man. Using zip ties, they secured his hands and feet and fastened him to his seat. Upon the plane’s arrival, the man was met by law enforcement.
A United Airlines spokesperson confirmed the incident, thanking the crew for their response and ensuring the safety of those on board.
The airline has banned the passenger from future flights.
Online reactions to the video ranged from shock to humour.
Reddit users joked about the man’s antics, with one quipping he was “testing out the new lie-flat seats in United Economy.”
Meanwhile, Galofaro expressed a desire to contact the man’s family to offer help.
