Man's Bathroom Tirade Prompts Emergency Landing for Alaska Airlines Flight

Image: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 approaching LAX Airport. (photo via Boarding1Now/iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus)
Image: Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 approaching LAX Airport. (photo via Boarding1Now/iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 3:19 PM ET, Fri September 27, 2019

A Los Angeles-bound Alaska Airlines flight traveling from New York City was forced to make an emergency landing in Kansas City on Thursday after a passenger launched into a tirade over having to wait in a long line for the bathroom while the first-class lavatories were empty, according to CBS Los Angeles.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the Boeing 737 was "diverted to Kansas City International Airport due to a passenger disturbance." Upon landing, the unidentified man was arrested by police.

"You wrong. By making seven people wait here to use the bathroom here while the bathroom up there is empty, is wrong," the man, seen wearing a New York Jets jersey and hat, is heard saying in the aisle in a video captured by a fellow passenger.

A woman who witnessed the outburst claims that the man threatened to kill the pilot and beat people up. "I don't know if he was on something or what, but he just went from like night and day," she told CBSLA.

Alaska Airlines said that the man did not try to gain access to the cockpit but did make a threat to harm the plane.

The flight eventually reached LAX Thursday night roughly four hours behind schedule.

Thursday's incident comes just one day after a United Airlines flight traveling from Washington D.C. to San Francisco was diverted to Denver due to a passenger being stuck in the airplane's bathroom.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
ALG Vacations® is Powering Up Fall with PartnershipTuesday, September 8, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
At ALG Vacations®, partnership means deliver smarter tools, stronger resources, and more opportunities...
Upcoming Webinar
Sell More Great Lakes Cruises with Victory Cruise LinesWednesday, September 9, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Cris Desouza, VP of Sales, and Barbara Davis, Director of Sales, for an inside look at what’s new...
Upcoming Webinar
Beyond the Ship: Maximizing Pre and Post Cruise ExperiencesThursday, September 10, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover how to enhance the cruise experience with strategic pre and post cruise planning. Learn how...
Upcoming Webinar
ALG Vacations® is Powering Up Fall with PartnershipTuesday, September 8, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
At ALG Vacations®, partnership means deliver smarter tools, stronger resources, and more opportunities...
Upcoming Webinar
Sell More Great Lakes Cruises with Victory Cruise LinesWednesday, September 9, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join Cris Desouza, VP of Sales, and Barbara Davis, Director of Sales, for an inside look at what’s new...
Upcoming Webinar
Beyond the Ship: Maximizing Pre and Post Cruise ExperiencesThursday, September 10, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover how to enhance the cruise experience with strategic pre and post cruise planning. Learn how...