Flight From Los Angeles Was Diverted, Then Cancelled After Shoving Incident On Board

It takes a heck of a lot to cause the pilot of an airliner to make an unscheduled landing. The expense in time and fuel alone make it a very unattractive proposition. But the pilot of a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to London did just that in the very early morning hours Thursday when an intoxicated passenger allegedly became unruly in the main cabin, pushing other passengers and a crew member, according to Chicago Police spokesman Officer Robert Perez. The pilot diverted to Chicago, where the passenger was escorted from the airplane.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the passenger was a 34-year-old woman from Redondo Beach, CA. She was not charged, however, because the flight was in Canadian airspace when the incident occurred, and local Chicago authorities also did not press charges. She was not allowed to board another United flight, however.

The other passengers on the plane were forced to board another flight, as UAL cancelled the one they were on after it landed in Chicago.

Other than confirming the incident and the cancellation of the flight, the airline directed all other inquiries to local Chicago authorities.

FMI: www.cityofchicago.org/police