Breeze Airways Flight to LAX Diverted to Grand Junction After Onboard Assault Reported

(GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO) A Breeze Airways flight from Norfolk, Virginia to Los Angeles was diverted to Grand Junction Regional Airport on August 13, 2025, after crew reported a severe onboard disturbance and a possible assault involving an unruly passenger. The aircraft touched down safely in Colorado, where local police, acting under FBI direction, arrested a male passenger. The FBI is leading the investigation, which is examining potential federal charges for interference with flight crew and whether racist slurs used during the incident warrant hate crime enhancements.

The flight left Norfolk at 9:17 a.m., according to the airline. Midway through the trip to LAX, a man who passengers said appeared intoxicated began shouting racist slurs at flight attendants and waving a skateboard in a threatening way. The episode escalated despite attempts by crew to calm him. At one point, a flight attendant called for help from travelers, underscoring how serious the situation had become.

Crew members twice restrained the passenger, but he broke free both times, according to passenger accounts shared with the airline. Witnesses said he then swung the restraints as a weapon. Several travelers stepped in to help, including one described by seat location as “the linebacker in 17C,” who helped subdue the man until the plane could divert. The captain coordinated with air traffic control and the airline to reroute swiftly.

Breeze Airways said a passenger and a flight attendant suffered minor injuries during the physical struggle. Yet Grand Junction Police said that no injuries or assaults were officially reported to law enforcement, a common gap when airline and police records are based on different reporting standards and timing. The airline praised the crew and passengers who assisted.

The plane landed in Grand Junction at about 11:15 a.m. Officers took the suspect into custody on the tarmac and moved him to the Mesa County Detention Facility. After the landing, the crew reached duty-time limits, delaying the journey. Passengers spent hours on the ground before continuing, arriving in Los Angeles nearly eight hours late.

Investigation and legal focus

As of August 14, 2025, the suspect remained in custody in Mesa County while the FBI reviewed evidence, including crew statements, passenger reports, and cabin records. Federal investigators are weighing charges tied to interference with flight crew and are assessing whether the reported use of racist slurs could bring hate crime enhancements. Officials have not released the man’s name or confirmed the final slate of charges.

Grand Junction Police confirmed the arrest and stressed they are coordinating with the FBI on the federal aspects of the case. Breeze Airways said safety is its top priority and thanked passengers and staff who helped restrain the man. The airline also noted it is cooperating fully with the investigation and has been in touch with affected travelers about rebooking and support.

Investigation led by the FBI is focusing on interference with flight crew charges and possible hate crime enhancements due to reported racist language.

Timeline of the flight incident

1. Flight departs Norfolk at 9:17 a.m. en route to LAX.
2. Midflight: a passenger displays intoxicated behavior, shouts racist slurs, and waves a skateboard.
3. Crew members attempt de-escalation; a flight attendant calls for passenger assistance.
4. Passenger is restrained twice but breaks free both times and allegedly uses restraints as a weapon.
5. Fellow travelers, including the passenger in 17C, help subdue the suspect.
6. Captain coordinates diversion; plane lands in Grand Junction at 11:15 a.m.
7. Suspect arrested on the tarmac and taken to Mesa County Detention Facility.
8. Crew reaches duty-time limits; passengers delayed and arrive in Los Angeles nearly eight hours late.

Policy context and passenger rights

The incident occurs amid a steady rise in disruptive behavior aboard U.S. flights. The Federal Aviation Administration says airlines have reported over 1,000 unruly passenger cases in 2025, continuing a pattern that surged during and after the pandemic.

Key policy changes and rules:

• FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-63), signed May 16, 2024, strengthens oversight and enforcement of in-flight misconduct, directs airlines to streamline reporting, and allows tougher penalties to deter repeat offenders.
• DOT rules (late 2024) require prompt automatic refunds when airlines cancel flights or make major changes, aiming to prioritize passengers when disruptions occur.
• REAL ID requirement: Starting May 7, 2025, all passengers must show REAL ID-compliant identification at TSA checkpoints.

Practical travel tips and requirements:

• Check that your driver’s license or state ID bears the REAL ID star, or travel with a passport or other approved document.
• Keep boarding passes, travel receipts, and any written airline notices if you experience diversions or long delays—these documents help with refunds or DOT claims.
• Expect stronger law enforcement presence at airports and on planes and follow crew directions promptly.

For official guidance and statistics, see the FAA’s resource on unruly passengers at https://www.faa.gov/passengers/unruly-passengers.

Industry procedures after an onboard threat

What unfolded on this Breeze Airways flight follows the standard procedure used across the industry when crews face a serious threat:

• Immediate response: Flight attendants attempt de-escalation and, if needed, use restraints.
• Diversion decision: The captain coordinates with air traffic control and the airline to land at the nearest suitable airport.
• Law enforcement response: Local police—and often the FBI for potential federal crimes—meet the aircraft and take custody.
• Investigation: Federal agents review evidence and interview witnesses to determine charges.
• Passenger care: Airlines rebook or accommodate travelers; under DOT rules, automatic refunds are owed when disruptions meet the relevant standards.

Perspectives and reactions

• Civil rights advocates emphasize that language targeting a person’s race should be treated with the highest concern and urge investigators to consider hate crime factors.
• Aviation security specialists point to flight attendant training that prioritizes de-escalation and reserves restraint as a last measure.
• Experts note that passenger intervention, while risky, can be necessary when cabin safety is at stake.

The FBI’s Denver Field Office is handling the federal side of the case, while Grand Junction Police manage local coordination at Grand Junction Regional Airport. Officials caution that the formal charging process can take time, especially when agencies must sort through witness statements and reconcile differences between airline reports and police records. Until charges are filed, the suspect’s identity remains withheld.

What travelers should take away

• Carry compliant ID and follow crew instructions without delay.
• Report troubling behavior early to crew members.
• Keep documentation (boarding passes, receipts, written notices) if your travel is disrupted—this supports refund or claim requests under DOT rules.

The episode highlights how quickly a single person’s actions can disrupt an entire flight and how the system is designed to respond: trained crew, clear diversion protocols, rapid law enforcement action, and federal oversight aimed at keeping cabins safe. As federal authorities review this case, airlines and regulators say they will continue pushing for tougher penalties and improved reporting to reduce future incidents.