Jiu-jitsu-trained passenger stops man from opening emergency exit on Frontier flight to Chicago
A Frontier Airlines flight from Puerto Rico to Chicago was disrupted on 31 May after a passenger allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit door mid-air and attacked an off-duty airline employee. A fellow passenger helped restrain him until an emergency landing in Miami, where the suspect was arrested.
- A Frontier Airlines flight from Puerto Rico to Chicago was disrupted after a passenger allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit door mid-air.
- An off-duty airline employee was reportedly attacked during the incident before another passenger intervened to restrain the individual.
- The suspect was arrested in Miami and faces federal charges, including interference with flight crew members.
A Frontier Airlines flight from Puerto Rico to Chicago on 31 May was disrupted after a passenger allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit door during the journey, according to FOX8 reporting.
The incident occurred while the aircraft was at cruising altitude, prompting concern among passengers and crew onboard.
Witnesses said the situation escalated after the passenger allegedly tried to access the emergency exit and subsequently attacked an off-duty airline employee who attempted to intervene.
Passenger steps in during onboard incident
A fellow passenger, identified as 37-year-old Josh Longood from Mansfield, intervened during the disturbance.
He was seated in 31-C at the time of the incident and was returning from a trip to Puerto Rico, according to FOX8.
Longood has a background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is a former mixed martial arts fighter.
He told FOX8 he stepped in after assessing the unfolding situation and believed he could help safely de-escalate it.
He helped restrain the passenger by controlling him and assisting other travellers in securing him with onboard restraints.
Longood described maintaining control of the individual as the flight continued, helping prevent further escalation until landing.
Struggle contained until emergency landing
The passenger reportedly continued attempting to break free from restraints during descent, with Longood and others maintaining control for around 30 minutes until the aircraft diverted.
The flight made an emergency landing in Miami, where authorities took the suspect into custody.
The individual was later identified as 51-year-old Juan Gabriel Reyes.
According to FOX8, Reyes was arrested on a battery charge relating to the attack on the off-duty airline employee and is facing federal charges, including interference with flight crew members.
Authorities have not confirmed further details regarding the motive behind the incident. Investigations are ongoing.
