A Delta Air Lines passenger has been arrested after he placed a flight attendant in a chokehold and threatened to decapitate her using a shard of a broken glass.
The incident occurred at around 16:00 local time on August 3, 2023, when flight DL 2432 landed at the Louis Armstrong International Airport ( MSY) in New Orleans from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
Witnesses allege that one passenger, Nelson Montgomery, 39, became agitated and started to hurt himself with a sharp object, before turning his attention on one of the flight attendants.
One of the witnesses told Fox8 Live that Montgomery then placed the flight attendant in a chokehold while brandishing a piece of broken glass, threatening other passengers that he would decapitate her if they tried to approach.
The flight attendant had already been cut twice when a group of eight passengers rushed toward Montgomery and subdued him until the authorities arrived.
Montgomery was taken to a nearby hospital to treat his injuries, and was later charged with aggravated battery, disturbing the peace and simple battery.
“Delta flight 2432 operating from Atlanta to New Orleans was met by law enforcement personnel upon landing following a reported customer issue onboard.Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior on our aircraft and in our airports. Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our people and our customers,” Delta Airlines said in a statement to various US media.
Thankfully, the flight attendant sustained only minor injuries.