A United Airlines airplane was forced to make an emergency landing after one of the passengers caused a disturbance over his meal. The aircraft departed from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston at 4:20 pm on Sunday, July 16 and it was seen circling around the at O’Hare Airport located in Chicago. Reportedly, the flight was heading to Amsterdam and was stopped for over 3 hours.
The passenger, whose identity remains disclosed, was part of the business class section in the aircraft. Typically, these travelers receive a three-course meal including seared beef short rib, lemongrass salmon, and ricotta salata with wild honey manicotti along with other drinks. Possibly, the passenger’s first-choice dish was not available which caused him to have a “disruptive behavior.”
Specific details about the situation have not been released. However, it has been affirmed that United Airlines had officers come aboard to get the passenger off the plane after it concluded its emergency landing in Chicago. In concordance with statements, the business class traveler was a level-one threat meaning he had “suspicious or threatening conduct.” The official statement from the airline reads:
“Law enforcement met the aircraft at the gate and escorted the passenger off the plane. The aircraft then continued to Amsterdam.”
When this person was escorted off the aircraft, the flight continued its route to the European city after being forced to stay in Chicago and creating a three-hour delay for the rest of the passengers, according to officials who assisted the case.