unilad homepage
unilad homepage
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • World News
    • Crime
    • Health
    • Money
    • Sport
    • Travel
  • Music
  • Technology
  • Film and TV
    • News
    • DC Comics
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Netflix
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Delta flight passenger arrested after allegedly refusing to hang up phone before takeoff
Home>News>Travel
Published 19:08 3 May 2026 GMT+1

Delta flight passenger arrested after allegedly refusing to hang up phone before takeoff

One passenger claimed the woman was met with 12 officers at the gate, and was 'immediately arrested'

Mia Williams

Mia Williams

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: Travel, Crime, US News, Delta Airlines

Mia Williams
Mia Williams

Mia is an NCTJ-trained journalist at UNILAD with a BA (Hons) in Multimedia Journalism, reporting across breaking news, US politics, entertainment, health, lifestyle, and more. Before joining as a journalist in 2026, she freelanced across the LADbible Group titles for over three years. She is also a documentary producer, having created independent films, and worked as a researcher on series including Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over USA.

X

@miawillsjourno

Advert

Advert

Advert

A passenger onboard a Delta flight at Miami International Airport has been arrested, after she allegedly refused to hang up her phone prior to takeoff.

The Atlanta-bound flight was delayed by an hour while law enforcement dealt with the situation, which ultimately led to the woman's arrest.

Police identified the disruptive passenger as Shannon Marie Harris, who allegedly refused to end her phone call after being asked numerous times by cabin crew on April 27.

Authorities stated that the woman became disruptive and refused to leave the aircraft.

Advert

In a statement issued to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the airline said: "A customer did not comply with repeated crew instructions to end their phone call while the aircraft was taxiing out.

"The customer became disruptive, and the aircraft returned to the gate where [the passenger] was removed from the aircraft."

The Delta flight was delayed by an hour following the disruptive behavior. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
The Delta flight was delayed by an hour following the disruptive behavior. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

A video of the incident has since been shared on social media, with other passengers pleading with Harris to be considerate to travelers who may have been attempting to catch a connecting flight.

One can be heard saying: "Please be considerate. Consider yourself and the rest of us."

The statement continued: "The safety of our customers and crew comes before all else, and Delta has zero tolerance for disruptive behavior.

"We apologize to our customers for this experience and delay in their travels."

Harris is now facing at least one charge related to trespassing, per Fox 5 Atlanta.

In the arrest report, Harris' behavior was described as 'belligerent', which prompted the pilot to return to the gate.

A Delta representative asked those onboard to deplane, which is when Harris allegedly attempted leave.

The passenger was allegedly met with 12 officers and was arrested 'immediately'. (Getty Stock Images)
The passenger was allegedly met with 12 officers and was arrested 'immediately'. (Getty Stock Images)

Police swiftly made the arrest after passengers had already faced delays.

One passenger who claimed to be on the flight to Atlanta wrote underneath the video: "She refused to get off the plane so they forced the entire plane to deplane.

"Halfway through deplaning she wilfully got off and was met with 12 officers at the gate and was immediately arrested."

Another added: "Disruptive passengers should face consequences, all because of one person, the entire flight is delayed as if people don’t have places to be."

"Why do some people think they still have a choice once the airline has instructed them to leave the plane," a third noted.

One passenger who posted the clip described the situation as a 'standoff on the tarmac'.

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    5 warning signs of prostate cancer as Jeremy Clarkson reveals 'aggressive' diagnosis

    The former presenter of Top Gear has revealed that he received the diagnosis in an episode of Clarkson's Farm

    News
  • Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    McDonald's brings back fan-favorite item to celebrate America's 250th birthday

    The food was swapped out for a healthier alternative in 1992

    News
  • Getty stock image
    5 hours ago

    Scientists predict date humans will go extinct and claim it's 95% accurate

    The study takes into account everyone who has ever lived, and then comes up with a date Earth will perish

    News
  • Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
    5 hours ago

    Trump's 14 point Iran deal leaked as he makes new threat to 'drop bombs'

    Donald Trump and Iran are set to sign a memorandum of understanding to broker peace in the region

    News
  • Delta pilot arrested just moments after plane lands as passengers reveal shocking details
  • Harrowing new details emerge after Delta pilot was arrested just moments after plane landed
  • Two Delta planes collide at LaGuardia Airport in NYC as witnesses describe shocking details
  • Frontier Airlines flight with 231 people onboard kills pedestrian on runway during takeoff at popular airport