US airline passenger tied to seat after attacking fellow traveller mid-flight

Passengers on a US flight restrained a 67-year-old man and tied him to his seat after he allegedly created a disturbance and attacked fellow passengers during the journey, 24NewsHD TV reported on Monday.

According to foreign media reports, the incident took place in the first-class cabin of an American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark.

The passenger, identified as Arthur Linden, allegedly began shouting racist and offensive remarks during the flight.

He reportedly assaulted a woman seated next to him, damaged her laptop, and attacked other passengers who tried to intervene.

Despite attempts by a flight attendant to calm him down, the passenger allegedly remained aggressive and continued behaving violently.

As the situation escalated, a retired police officer travelling on the flight and several other passengers intervened.

Using tape and ropes provided by the cabin crew, they restrained the man and securely tied him to his seat for the remainder of the flight.

 The disturbance forced the pilot to divert the flight and make an emergency landing at Baltimore/Washington International Airport.

Police and FBI agents boarded the aircraft after landing and took the passenger into custody.

American Airlines said the safety of its customers and team members was its top priority and that such behaviour would not be tolerated.