# Airline passenger removal incidents

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/airline-passenger-removal-incidents
> Updated: 2026-10-06T14:39:03.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Recent incidents involving major US carriers have resulted in the removal of passengers following disputes with crew members.

In one instance involving Southwest Airlines, a passenger was removed from a flight after a confrontation regarding carry-on luggage. The passenger argued against being required to gate-check her bag and accused a flight attendant of “assault and battery,” while the crew member alleged the passenger had been disrespectful and made physical contact.

In a separate incident on a Delta Air Lines flight from Bogotá to Atlanta, a passenger named Santiago Daza was removed after a dispute over a seat swap request. After initially agreeing to move seats to accommodate a couple, Daza declined the change when the new seat proved less comfortable. The situation escalated when Daza began recording the interaction with smart glasses, leading Delta to state that he failed to follow crew instructions.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-06: Delta Air Lines passenger removed following seat dispute

A Delta Air Lines passenger was removed from a Bogotá to Atlanta flight after a dispute over a seat swap request escalated when he began recording the interaction with crew members.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/passenger-disputes-and-misconduct-reported-on-delta-and-american-airlines-flights

### 2026-09-19: Southwest Airlines passenger removed after carry-on bag dispute

A Southwest Airlines passenger was removed from a flight following a heated dispute over being required to gate-check a carry-on bag.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southwest-airlines-passenger-removed-after-carry-on-bag-dispute

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Cite as: Airline passenger removal incidents. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/airline-passenger-removal-incidents