A Tokyo-bound United flight diverted to Anchorage earlier this week after a passenger told a flight attendant, “I will kill you” and slapped his face after he denied him more alcohol.
Seksan Kumtong began banging on lavatory doors shortly after takeoff of UA32, from Los Angeles to Tokyo last Sunday. He also pushed passengers aside to reach the front of the lavatory line. A flight attendant directed him to an open lavatory and he responded by attempting to shove the flight attendant (but missed).
Apparently he just received a warning, because he returned to his seat and was served alcohol with lunch. He fell asleep, but when he woke up a couple hours later he demanded another round of alcohol. A flight attendant declined and he demanded to speak to the purser.
The purser informed him that he must “slow down” on alcohol consumption. Kumtong responded in a fit of rage, slapping the purser in the face then attempted to strangle him by grabbing his necktie. At the same time, he yelled, “I will kill you!” and attempted to wrestle him to the floor.
Crew members and other passengers restrained him and the flight, which was in the air over seven hours, turned back toward the U.S. coast and eventually landed in Anchorage at 4:45PM local time.
Passengers were placed in hotel rooms and the flight continued to Narita the next day.
United’s only comment was:
“The safety and security of our employees and customers is our top priority. On Sunday, United flight 32 traveling from Los Angeles to Tokyo Narita diverted to Anchorage due to a disruptive customer. The flight landed safely and was met by local officials. The customer was removed and we worked to get customers on their way as soon as possible.”
CONCLUSION
Mark this as another chapter in my drunk passenger series. These stories always have a common theme: alcohol. I am glad that the purser was not hurt; that must have been quite jarring…
image: United
Which laws apply? Flight was in international waters. It was a US carrier.
seems to me that US Laws would apply. He’s traveling on a US Flag Carrier and landed in ANC which is a U.S. city which is also part of the U.S. now, he may be extradited, but a crime performed in or over the United States would normally be tried in the United States.
Sounds to me like this guy was going to be a problem alcohol or no. Though its possible he got himself hammered even before getting on the flight.
I hope United sues him for the cost of the diversion.
I hope so too. He probably should not have been served any alcohol in the first place.
@ Matthew — Alcohol should be banned worldwide. It kills as many people as cigarettes.
As a drinker and smoker, neither of which are banned, I disagree. You live your life how you want, as I will mine. No need to preach.
+1
I don’t smoke but think this judgement stuff is silly at best. Legislating morality is great in Saudi Arabia, but I’m not so keen on it here.
My question is- if I have a connecting flight on a separate ticket, that carrier would not rebook me on its flight next day. It simply assumes “No show”. The ticket with UA is to Tokyo only, so UA does not know anything about my connecting flight. It is not my fault either. Who is responsible to get me to my final destination?
Theoretically, it’s you’re fault because you no-showed. For the separate ticket, UA (and all other airlines) does not differentiate between you and residents of Tokyo, noting that it was your responsibility to be on time.
With that said, if you have flight insurance on the flight to Tokyo, they would likely cover your expenses for necessary onward travel.
Your beef is not with United, nor your separately-ticketed connecting airline. If you missed something because you arrived late (whether a subsequent flight, an important appointment, or your daughter’s wedding), your beef is with Mr Seksan Kumtong, the drunk and disorderly passenger. Sue him.
Fun fact: the flight attendant ties are not real ties – they are the fake ones (like kiddie ties) so people can’t strangle the flight attendants wearing them.
@debit because it’s an US carrier, US laws apply. Hence why they can only serve alcohol to passengers 21 years or older.
ptahcha – I am a current UA flight attendant AND our ties are ties .. unsure where you got your assumption that our ties are kiddie ties but we can certainly be strangled or choked.
Would you like me to post evidence? I always read, never comment BUT your info is completely incorrect. Ask for the proof (regarding the tie) and I will share.
After reading Debit’s question and ptahcha’s reply, I’m curious: if you board an Emirates aircraft in, say, USA, when are you on UAE territory?
When the doors are closed for push back?
When the wheels come off the ground at the US airport?
When the plane clears US air space?
Some other point?
Thank you!
Adil,
For all jurisdiction, you are under state law until you are 12 miles out to sea. Until you are 200 miles out you are still in the special maritime jurisdiction of the US for criminal law purposes AND in the UAE for their criminal and admiralty law jurisdiction and only the UAE after. Yes I did get an A in Civ Pro, thank you for noticing.
Just wondering why airlines need to serve alcohol at all on flights. At least on the US airlines they serve cheap stuff that usually don’t pass on my quality control standards so I don’t bother drinking at all. Also, I personally feel much better if I don’t drink on flights as I get at my destination in a better shape. Last, I don’t think there is a need to drink beer, wine or spirits while stuck inside a metal tube at 30k feet. Maybe not serving that would make cases like this not to happen.
drinking Woodford on a flight right now. Cheap stuff?
Your blog is pure speculation and doesn’t hold any credibility. It’s a joke
Grace and peace to you Bella.
Being “stuck inside a metal tube at 30k feet” is EXACTLY why some people need a drink on a plane. Other people are kicking off or stretching out their vacation or de-stressing after a work or stressful trip. Don’t judge. Do you.
I love alcohol. I can never understand angry drunks–if drinking made me angry, I wouldn’t drink. At some point, drunk, angry passengers, a recurring theme on this forum, are going to be such a problem that alcohol will be banned on flights. Unthinkable? 40 years ago, banning smoking on flights was unthinkable. When it happens, and it will, we’ll have these idiots to thank.