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11/02/2024 11:29:12 am

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Reclining Seat Ruckus Forces American Airlines Flight To Divert To Boston

American Airlines

(Photo : Reuters)

For the second time in the U.S. this week, a commercial plane diverted its flight over a reclining seat ruckus when a man who said he suffered high blood pressure became upset after the woman in front of him reclined her seat Wednesday night, aviation authorities said.

Reports said the American Airlines Miami to Paris flight was forced to divert to Boston after A French passenger, Edmund Alexandre, 61, became upset and unruly over a legroom dispute with a woman who reclined her seat in front of him.

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Authorities said Alexandre continued to be disruptive despite the crew member's efforts to calm him. Alexandre then followed one of the crew members and grabbed his arm.

The Frenchman was complaining to crew members that he had high blood pressure and diabetes, telling them that he was experiencing difficulties due to the passenger in front reclining her seat.

Two undercover air federal agents on the flight stepped in and subdued him. He was then handcuffed by air marshals.

After the diverted plane landed at around 10 p.m. Alexandre was arrested by Massachusetts state police and escorted directly to a local hospital for observation and treatment of his illnesses.

Prosecutors have charged Alexandre with interfering with flight crew. He was arraigned in the hospital Thursday.

An American Airlines spokesman said that the flight 62 plane continued its flight to Paris on Wednesday night.

This latest incident comes just days after a man on a United Airlines flight used a device called a 'knee defender' to keep the person in front of him from reclining her seat.

When the woman in front was unable to recline, she confronted the man and an argument ensued. The woman reportedly threw a cup of water in his face.

Both passengers were seated in United's economy class which gives extra legroom for extra fees. The spat forced the New Jersey-to-Denver flight to divert to Chicago.

The two passengers were not allowed to return back to the plane, which continued its trip to Denver.

Passenger plane crew members have reported an increase in unruly passenger incidents as planes become more packed and legroom space decreases. Aviation officials are looking into this emerging problem and contemplating action, acording to reports.

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