A transatlantic American Airlines flight was forced to U-turn four hours into its journey after a father launched into a bizarre in-flight tirade over meal choices and seating arrangements.
The incident, on a plane from New York to Milan, occurred on Monday - when the passenger caused a scene whilst the aircraft was midway over the Atlantic.
According to witnesses, the man reportedly threw himself at an air hostess and attempted to force his way into the cockpit.
The disruption began when the passenger's requests for a specific meal and to sit in the exit row with his baby were denied.
According to witnesses, the man reportedly threw himself at an air hostess and attempted to force his way into the cockpit
CBS
The flight, which departed New York City's JFK Airport at around 7pm, was then forced back to the Big Apple at 3am.
Krystie Tomlinson, a passenger on the flight, told CBS News: "The whole thing started because of a meal choice they didn't get."
She explained that the passenger had requested a specific meal "ahead of time" and also wanted to sit in the exit row because he had a baby with him.
"Those two things are what pushed the person over the edge," Tomlinson said.
Another passenger, Michael Scigliano, said the situation was worsened by the absence of an air marshal on board.
Passengers became so concerned they were "asking around if there were any police officers or army members, or somebody who could help," Tomlinson added.
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The flight, which departed New York City's JFK Airport at around 7pm, was then forced back to the Big Apple at 3am
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Scigliano said after the pilot announced the plane was turning around, passengers were left with "this crazy man" in the plane "unprotected and unrestrained."
The situation was made more confusing as the pilot only cited a "technical issue" as the reason for the U-turn - "which was even scarier", Scigliano said.
Aviation trial attorney Robert Clifford told the Daily Beast that the pilot's decision might have been out of his hands.
"We don't know all the things that the pilot knows," he said.
The pilot would have done what he thought was "best" in the circumstances, Clifford added.
But in the face of the eight-hour fracas, passengers received no assistance from American Airlines upon their return to JFK.
LATEST ON AMERICAN AIRLINES:
In the face of the eight-hour fracas, passengers received no assistance from American Airlines upon their return to JFK
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"American Airlines offered us nothing," Scigliano told reporters.
He added: "I asked to use the American Airlines lounge to breastfeed and change - They said you can go in if you pay $79."
The airline rescheduled the full flight for Tuesday morning, 16 hours after its original departure time.
According to a police source who spoke to CBS News, the passenger who caused the disruption was released without charge.
American Airlines said in a statement: "The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we thank our customers for their understanding."
