Flyer who threatened to 'mess up' plane fined £16k

A plane passenger who threatened to "mess up" an aircraft mid-flight has been ordered to pay $20,638 (£16,499).

Alexander MacDonald, from Chelmsford, Essex, was onboard a United Airlines flight from London to New Jersey in the US, on 1 March, when he got into an argument with a travel companion.

After he failed to calm down and continued to behave aggressively, the plane had to be diverted to Bangor International Airport, Maine.

MacDonald, 30, was held in police custody for three weeks before he admitted interfering with a flight crew.

Chief US District Judge, Lance Walker, said MacDonald had served his time behind bars while on remand.

Court records showed the defendant began arguing with his travelling companion and caused a disturbance while in US airspace flying to New Jersey.

"When flight attendants asked MacDonald to be quiet and attempted to calm him, he became belligerent, threatening and intimidating towards them," a statement read.

When the cabin crew's manager intervened, MacDonald continued to behave aggressively and said he would "mess up the plane".

He was subsequently restrained in flex cuffs and the flight was diverted to Bangor about an hour before it was due to arrive at its intended destination.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), US Customs and Border Protection and Bangor Police Department investigated the case, documents showed.

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