American Airlines crew tackles first class passenger after she storms cockpit in disturbing footage

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL: A routine American Airlines flight from Sao Paulo to New York took a disturbing turn on April 24 when an elderly woman attempted to storm the cockpit, allegedly to demand answers from the pilots about a delay.

The woman approached the front of Flight AA950 just as one of the pilots returned from the lavatory, prompting immediate intervention from flight attendants, Brazilian aviation outlet AEROIN reports.

Elderly woman sparks mid-flight incident on American Airlines plane

Footage captured inside a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner showed the cockpit door left wide open while the plane was still parked at Sao Paulo Airport in Brazil.

In the video, flight attendants are seen scrambling to shut the cockpit door when things take a strange turn, a well-dressed woman suddenly tries to push her way inside.

The middle-aged passenger confronts the crew, leading to a tense exchange. One of the flight attendants firmly tells her, “Get out, get out,” as the situation escalates.

As the argument escalates, the crew member eventually brings the woman to the ground while she continues to resist.

A second flight attendant steps in to help, restraining her and guiding her back to her seat in first class. One visibly upset traveler stood up from his seat, confronting the woman and demanding to know what had just happened. Clearly shaken by the incident, the man is heard shouting angrily at the woman, unable to hide his frustration over her reckless behavior.

After the confrontation, both passengers were turned over to the police once the plane made its way back to the boarding gate. 

American Airlines confirmed the incident, explaining that the flight had to return to the gate because of a “safety problem on board.”

“The safety of our customers and employees is our top priority and we thank everyone for their understanding,” the airline said in a statement, thanking passengers for their patience and understanding.

Internet abuzz as elderly woman tries to storm cockpit on American Airlines flight

A shocking incident aboard an American Airlines flight went viral after reports emerged that an elderly woman attempted to storm the cockpit, prompting a wave of stunned and sarcastic reactions online.

One user wrote, “Even tho he had the best intentions he couldve just pulled away choking and slamming oh she definitely got a lawsuit.. If she can prove she wasn’t drunk even still.”

Another chimed in, “Who walks around barefoot in first class?” Others questioned the security protocols, “Why aren’t the cockpit doors locked?”

“This right here is why we need a padded room on airplanes,” a user wrote.

Commenters didn’t hold back their judgment, with one saying, “Seems like several of them forgot the ‘class’ part of first class.”

“Why do some people get so crazy when they board an airliner?” another wrote.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.