A Delta Air Lines passenger was removed from flight 2342 at New York JFK on October 22 after using racial slurs, shouting "death to America," and making gun noises while aboard the aircraft still at the gate. New video footage shows Port Authority police escorting the Brooklyn man from the cabin as he shouted "I love myself!" and called out to passengers to post the incident on Instagram. Police said the man appeared intoxicated.
The passenger faced arrest on charges of assault, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration. A passenger seated across the aisle reported the incident lasted a long time and that she had to move to other seats.
Delta issued an apology to passengers and thanked police, stating it maintains "zero tolerance for disruptive behavior." Federal rules prohibit boarding passengers who appear intoxicated. Removing the man before departure kept the crew from dealing with disruption in the air, unlike a Breeze Airways flight where a passenger shouting racial slurs broke free from restraints twice, forcing a diversion to Grand Junction.