While fights over seat recline are fairly common, what happens when your seat remains in the recline position…because it is broken? On the case of one American Airlines regional flight, the answer was a nasty brawl.
Broken Seat Leads To Nasty Brawl On American Airlines Regional Flight
On Sunday afternoon, American Airlines Flight 4698, an American Eagle service operated by AA’s Republic Airways subsidiary, departed from New Orleans (MSY) for Austin (AUS).
By the time the aircraft landed in Austin, tempers had flared and the two were engaged in a verbal argument over what witnesses onboard called a fight over a seat “stuck in the reclined position.” Upon landing, the two men jumped up and began exchanging blows.
A witness told CBS Austin:
“When the plane finally landed in Austin and the seatbelt sign was turned off, both men jumped up and physically started fighting each other.”
In the video below, you can hear flight attendants call out “return to your seats immediately!” and “clear the aisle!”
In fact, there appear to be more than two involved in the brawl. At one point the two men were separated only to see the one man walk up the aisle and strike him again from behind.
Police were dispatched and met the aircraft, boarded, and removed the two men. It is not clear if the two men were arrested or simply detained.
American Airlines only added:
Law enforcement were requested to meet American Eagle flight 4698, operated by Republic Airways, after arriving to Austin (AUS) from New Orleans (MSY) due to an altercation between passengers.
What To Do If Your Seat Is Broken?
We’re back in an era of full flights and you may find yourself in a similar position. What should you do if your find you seat is broken? While it may seem like common sense to report it to a flight attendant, it could result in a lengthy delay or you even being removed from the flight if the seat issue is deemed a safety hazard (airlines will tend to err on the side of caution, even if the risks are quite low).
If it were me and I wanted to get to my destination, I would say nothing to the flight attendants, apologize in the advance to the person seated behind me, and do my best to hold the seat up when flight attendants make their pre-flight inspection.
I realize there is something pathetic about even discussing tolerating broken seats on a multi-million dollar piece of equipment hurdling through the air at 35,000 fleet at 600mph…
CONCLUSION
What did this fight accomplish? Both men ended up in custody, likely with ripped clothes, bruises, and stress. I must emphasize again – the heat of the moment can be difficult, but prepare in advance: let your self-control outshine your temper.
(H/T: View From The Wing // image: KXAN)
I agree with your approach – tell the passenger behind that I’d do my best to prop the seat up. This could have been avoided with better communication between passengers and common understanding of the problem at the beginning of the flight.
What an embarrassment. We’re not really known for brawlin’ here in ATX.
Seriously, grown men fist fighting is just the stupidest thing in the world. Nobody wins and nobody looks “cool” or “tough.”
Sorry to say, this would likely only be a misdemeanor in California, not worth the time for airport police to write up. And the local DA for Los Angeles and San Francisco have vowed that those with a misdemeanor will not go to jail. So, release for all and repeat. Anyhow, the two “gents” got their moment of glory on YouTube.
Airlines should not have sold a broken seat! It’s a safety hazard. If my seat was broken, I’d demand a refund! Never fly that airline again! Shameful behavior in all involved! Airline especially.
actually a legit fight for once. big dudes throwing some big time punches on an RJ.
OMG, this whole country is turning into a Spirit flight.
“I must empathize again”- perhaps meant to say “I must emphasize again”?
Also,
“Upon landing, the two men jumped ” Not sure if this is missing a period or more words.
Always something in common on these videos…
Yes….the flights always involve Florida or Texas.
Fists and elbows flying – what if someone elderly or a child got pummeled just by being “in the way”. ??
Disgusting and no end in sight BECAUSE THE AIRLINES AND POLICE DO NOTHING TO THESE PEOPLE. THEY NEED TO BE ARRESTED AND JAILED IMMEDIATELY. TELL IT TO THE JUDGE IN THE MORNING.
These are my steps: notify FA and ask if another seat is available. If not, I will keep it. Next w/o telling FA I off RT to exchange seats with occupant behind me. If agreed, problem solved, but I try to negotiate with FA and affected passenger. If it’s a couple and we are traveling as a couple we offer them both our seats and take the compromised seats. Offering the olive branch first.
. What should you do if your find you seat is broken? While it may seem like common sense to report it to a flight attendant,
If it were me and I wanted to get to my destination, I would say nothing to the flight attendants, apologize in the advance to the person seated behind me, and do my best to hold the seat up when flight attendants make their pre-flight inspection.”
NO!!
If the seat is broken, you MUST REPORT IT
Jesus christ, what is wrong with you??
Flights are safer than getting up at night to use the bathroom, but that is because everything is fully maintained and multiple layers of redundancy.
A fireball crash is very rare, mid air turbulence or a bumpy landing, are quite common, but no harm or injury would occur from the latter two incidents if.. THE SEAT IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL.
A bumpy deceleration with a bad seat could easily result in a badly damaged spine or worse.
REPORT IT – you are quite likely gonna get moved to the one available empty seat… IN FIRST CLASS!
Exactly! I cannot believe this writer is suggesting concealing a safety hazard. Seats must be in the upright position during take-off, turbulence, and while landing. Why do you think that is? Dude. Really? No destination is worth a serious injury (or death) on the way to getting there! I would ask for a different seat and my money back.
It’s mighty irresponsible.
I support the comment posted by Mr Bishop just above. Matthew, you are not acting as a passenger advocate.& certainty not as a passenger SAFETY advocate. Would the FAA or NTSB permit this?
“Matthew is an avid traveler…who travels more than 200,000 miles by air” each year. He “calls Los Angeles home” and has no understanding and/or respect for federal aviation regulations, actively advocating on a travel blog for not following them in a snoozer of oddly self-serving article about two morons fighting on a plane. 14 CFR 121.311 “…no certificate holder may take off or land an airplane unless each passenger seat back is in the upright position. Each passenger shall comply with instructions given by a crewmember in compliance with this paragraph.”
How did a seat that wouldn’t go to an upright position getast the take off and landing safety protocols?