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Video shows American Airlines first-class passenger handcuffed and dragged off plane after drink request

The video has now garnered a wide range of reactions with people criticizing the passenger's 'embarrassing' behavior

A video of an American Airlines first-class passenger has been going around the internet recently that shows an unidentified man being handcuffed and dragged off the flight following his request for an alcoholic beverage — a gin and tonic cocktail — which resulted in the man having a teary meltdown. The video has now garnered a wide range of reactions with people criticizing the passenger's "embarrassing" behavior and also wondering what went down to warrant such a reaction.

In the 5-minute 27-second clip uploaded to TikTok, and also released on Reddit and Twitter, the passenger can be seen arguing with the airport authorities, who were asking the man to leave the plane, while he was staying put in his seat. He is being informed that the pilot requested his removal “multiple times.” The man is captured asking what he’s done, to which the officials can be seen telling him that he was “not being respectful” by “arguing with the flight attendant.” However, even after knowing the reason he refused to get up from his seat which then led the officials to handcuff and drag him off the plane, while the man can be heard screaming and crying as the officers dragged him.

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Did the passenger commit a crime?

The passenger asked if he had committed a “crime,” but the US Department of Transportation states that a crime need not be committed for the removal of a passenger from a flight. The website of the US Department of Transportation states, "Airlines may deny boarding or remove you from a flight even after accepting your boarding pass and informing you that you may proceed to board if the denial or removal is due to a safety, security, or health risk, or due to a behavior that is considered obscene, disruptive, or otherwise unlawful."

'Another episode of entitled passengers'

People were quick to react against the man for putting on a bizarre show with him crying. One of the Reddit users wrote, "The cops didn’t even do anything to him, he just ran off crying, WTF!" One more commented, "Yea, this whole interaction reminds me of Disney theme parks in the late afternoon when the parents get too hot and tired and want leave, but the kid wants to stay and starts having a meltdown. I was waiting for the man-child to lay flat on the floor and the police having to drag him up." While another said, "I have never seen a more embarrassing display in my entire career."

An individual wrote on Twitter, "He should’ve stood up and walked out on his own. I wonder how long were they speaking with him and how many time did they ask him to disembark from the plane. Started with two, then a third walked up. That man should have complied." One more said, "Another episode of “entilted passengers” for buying first class and thinking 'I own them'". On the other hand, many were left curious to know the whole story. One of them wrote, "You are a first class (business) passenger, not the airline owner. Many people forget this on board. Anyway, I would like to know the whole story."

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.