Incidents wherein unruly airline passengers have disrupted flights are an ongoing problem. In 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recorded 2,102 unruly passenger incidents, a slight 1% increase from 2023 (2,076 reports). Well, a United Airlines passenger just added to the FAA's Unruly Passenger Statistics.
A United Airlines passenger on a flight bound for Houston, Texas, got drunk and is seen arguing with the crew and his father, a video obtained by Aero Saga shows. Alex Cuevas, an electrician aboard the plane, captured the incident on video, which he posted to his Facebook page on August 5, 2026. "What a way to end my first international trip," Cuevas captioned the video, in which a flight attendant is seen warning the drunk passenger that he will not fly United again.
The flight attendant also threatens the man with wrist restraints before the captain orders everyone seated: "Protect the flight deck at all costs," the captain orders, adding: "Please protect yourself. Remain safe." The incident starts off slowly. The captain, however, clearly sees where it is heading.
"You’re not behaving at all. I’m gonna call the captain. You’re not gonna fly United again," the flight attendant warns the unruly passenger, threatening him with wrist restraints. The flight attendant then tries to calm the man down: "All right, okay? So please behave. This is a matter of safety. You’ve been drinking... You’re an adult. Your father is here," the flight attendant is heard telling the drunk passenger. She adds: "Do you want to embarrass him even more?," referring to the man's father.
The captain then announces: "This is the captain. I need everybody in their seats at this time. We have an issue… Protect the flight deck at all costs. Please protect yourself. Remain safe. Remain seated. Thank you."
A subsequent video shared by Cuevas shows passengers surrounding the man while a flight attendant repeatedly orders him to sit.
As he grows more violent, several passengers pin him across the seats, controlling his head, torso, arms, and legs. It's a coordinated restraint, with the group telling one another: "You hold that," "I’ve got it," and "I’ve got another one."
All the same, they care about his welfare, as several people repeatedly say, "Make sure he’s breathing." But the man keeps arguing and insulting them. The intoxicated passenger is subdued and handed over to authorities upon arrival in Houston.
It is not clear whether the man got drunk before boarding the plane or while onboard.
According to a commenter claiming to have witnessed the arrival, the passenger was arrested, and the father didn’t even stay in Houston with his incarcerated son.
Read also: Australian Man Attacks Flight Attendant for Refusing His Request to Hug Her
