A passenger jet was diverted after an unruly traveller allegedly slapped the buttocks of a flight attendant during a disagreement over drink service.
Cody James Maluck, 32, was arrested on May 9 from a Delta Air Lines flight travelling from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles. The aircraft was diverted to Georgia following the alleged assault. According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, the flight attendant, identified as PLL, told officers that Maluck's inappropriate behaviour began due to a dispute about drink service. The flight attendant stated that Maluck was asleep while she served beverages to other passengers on board.
Believing the man was asleep, the flight attendant passed his seat without disturbing him. As she walked by, Maluck allegedly slapped her behind with such force that she was pushed forward. After the alleged slap, the woman turned around to see what had struck her. Maluck raised his hands and said, "I didn't do anything."
Due to the incident, PLL informed the pilot, leading to the plane being diverted to Georgia and police being contacted. Maluck claimed he did not hear the woman asking him about drinks because he was wearing headphones. The 32-year-old reportedly admitted to touching the woman but denied slapping her backside with force. He added that he simply wanted to get PLL's attention and did not intend to disrespect her.
Maluck was arrested and held at Atlanta City Detention Center. He has been charged with interfering with flight crew members and staff by assaulting and intimidating them. The charge carries a fine of up to $25,000 and a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines said in a statement that the company has a "zero tolerance for disruptive or unruly behaviour on our flights." The statement added: "We will always cooperate with law enforcement to address such conduct and protect our people."
Maluck is due to appear in court on June 16 and has not yet entered a plea for the charges brought against him.
This incident comes as UK authorities consider a dramatic new government "blacklist" plan that could see thuggish passengers completely banned from the skies. Holidaymakers who cause chaos mid-air face being blocked from booking with any airline if the radical new crackdown gets the green light. Officials from the Department for Transport and the Home Office are understood to be drawing up plans for a massive data-sharing system to track rowdy flyers.
Under the early-stage proposals, airlines could be forced to report disruptive passengers to the UK Government. If that same troublemaker tries to check in for another flight later on, a major red flag would be sent to the airline. While individual carriers would still have the final say on how to handle the warning, they would be given the power to completely refuse to fly them.
The no-nonsense move already has overwhelming support from the British public. A YouGov poll of 5,173 adults revealed that a whopping three-quarters of Brits want a database created to ban mid-air menaces from all flights.
