Frontier flight makes emergency landing after passenger tries to enter cockpit mid-air

A Frontier Airlines flight travelling from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Chicago was forced to make an emergency landing in Miami after a passenger allegedly became violent, attempted to enter the cockpit and tried to open an emergency exit door mid-flight.

The on-air scare

According to a CNN report, the incident unfolded on Sunday night aboard Frontier Airlines Flight 3345. Authorities identified the passenger as 51-year-old Juan Gabriel Reyes, who allegedly became disruptive around 45 minutes after takeoff from Puerto Rico.

Witnesses told investigators that Reyes repeatedly stated he wanted to leave the aircraft and began aggressively attempting to open a rear emergency exit door. Flight attendants reportedly tried to calm him and instructed him to return to his seat, but he allegedly refused to comply.

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Authorities said Reyes then rushed toward the front of the aircraft and slammed his shoulder into the cockpit door in an apparent effort to gain access to the pilots' cabin.

An off-duty flight attendant volunteered to help monitor Reyes and keep him seated. However, investigators said that when the crew member briefly left to use the restroom, Reyes allegedly attempted to take his bag and later attacked him by grabbing him by the head and choking him.

Professional fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt helped restrain him

Videos shared online showed flight attendants and passengers working together to restrain Reyes. Among those who stepped in was a former professional MMA fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, who helped subdue him.

Federal investigators said Reyes repeatedly broke free from initial restraints, forcing additional efforts to keep him secured. The pilots declared an emergency and diverted the Airbus A321 to Miami International Airport, where it landed safely at approximately 11:55 p.m. local time.

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Miami-Dade Sheriff's deputies boarded the aircraft, arrested Reyes and later transferred him into FBI custody. He now faces federal charges, including interference with flight crew members and attendants and assault within maritime and territorial jurisdiction.

"On Sunday, June 1, a passenger on Flight 3345 from San Juan to Chicago O'Hare became disruptive, and the flight was diverted to Miami. Law enforcement boarded the aircraft in Miami and removed the passenger, and the flight subsequently continued on to Chicago a few hours later," Frontier Airlines said in a statement.

The incident comes amid continuing concerns over unruly airline passengers. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 687 reports of disruptive passenger behaviour have been recorded so far this year.