Breeze Airways flight diverts after 'unruly' passenger breaks restraints twice
Officers with Grand Junction police in Grand Junction, Colorado, about 244 miles west of Denver, responded to an incident at the Grand Junction Airport around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, the department said in a Facebook post.
Upon arrival, officers found that an intoxicated 46-year-old passenger from Los Angeles, "became agitated" and yelled "racist slurs at airline staff" while aboard Breeze Airways Flight 704, which had left Norfolk, Virginia, around 9 a.m. on Aug. 13, according to information from local police and the FBI.
As flight attendants attempted to restrain the man while in the air, he managed to break free of the restraints twice, prompting an emergency landing at the airport, police said.
Was the passenger charged with a crime?
The passenger did not physically assault anyone on the aircraft, and no injuries were reported, according to police.
Neither the police department nor the FBI provided information about possible charges the man may face, but confirmed that the U.S. Attorney's Office would release further details regarding charges.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, passengers who engage in unruly behavior can be sentenced to prison, fined up to $37,000 or be put on a no-fly list. In 2025, there have been over 1,000 cases of unruly passengers on board commercial planes, according to the FAA.
Following the incident, the passenger was taken into custody by the Grand Junction Police Department and transported to the Mesa County Detention Facility.
An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
USA TODAY has emailed Breeze Airways for comment on Thursday, Aug. 14, but has not received a response.
Breeze Airways is a low-cost airline headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, and provides nonstop service between underserved routes at affordable rates, according to its website. The airline began operating commercially in 2021.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com
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