American Airlines Flight Diverts to Kansas City After Passenger Removed; Four Arizona Congressmembers Aboard

Flight Diverts After Crew Requests Passenger Removal

An American Airlines flight carrying four members of Congress made an unscheduled stop in Kansas City on Nov. 11 after crew requested law enforcement remove a disruptive passenger, officials and passengers said.

What happened

According to FlightAware, American Airlines Flight 1218 departed Phoenix for Washington, D.C., at about 2:45 p.m. local time. More than two hours into the flight, the aircraft diverted to Kansas City International Airport, where airport police met the plane and escorted a passenger off.

Who was on board

Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) said on X that he was aboard the flight along with three Arizona colleagues — Republicans Eli Crane, Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar. Stanton wrote that the stop was to remove a "disruptive passenger," adding that "none of my colleagues is the disruptor."

Video and passenger account

A passenger, who identified himself as Adam Burtner, posted video showing officers escorting a woman in a red coat down the aisle. In the clip the woman is heard saying, "Sorry folks, we live in a fascist state," as she exits. Burtner later wrote that the woman told officers she had taken a photo of someone who did not want it shared, apparently referring to one of the lawmakers on board.

Official responses

The Kansas City Police Department deferred to a city spokesperson, who told PEOPLE that airport police were asked to escort the individual off the plane. The person was not arrested and was later escorted back to the ticketing area and booked on another flight; the spokesperson did not provide specific details about why removal was requested.

American Airlines told local outlet KSHB that "law enforcement met the flight and removed the customer, and the flight later re-departed for DCA, where it landed normally." The airline thanked customers for their patience and praised the crew's professionalism.

Aftermath

FlightAware shows the flight ultimately arrived in Washington, D.C., at about 10:01 p.m. All four Arizona representatives arrived in time to vote the next day on legislation to end a prolonged government shutdown; the measure passed 222-209, according to The Washington Post.

Notable quotes:

Rep. Greg Stanton: "We’re making [an] emergency stop in Kansas City to remove [a] disruptive passenger."

Rep. Paul Gosar: "After 43 days of the [Chuck] Schumer shutdown causing countless air traffic delays and cancellations, I can understand how a passenger might get a tad squirrelly."

Sources: FlightAware, statements on X, video shared by a passenger, PEOPLE, KSHB and The Washington Post.