US Passenger Assaults Flight Attendant for Wanting to Sit in 'Bihaenggi Ildeungseok' First Class

Chasing Flight Attendant and Striking the Back of the Head
Immediately Arrested by FBI Right After Landing

American Airlines passenger plane at Boston International Airport, USA
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Gunchan] A man in his 30s was indicted for assaulting a flight attendant after being stopped from sitting in an empty first-class seat on a flight to Los Angeles, USA.

On the 22nd (local time), according to NBC News and others in the US, the federal prosecutor's office announced on the 27th that Alexander Tungkur (33) was indicted on charges of interfering with flight attendants and passengers.

Tungkur is accused of assaulting an American Airlines flight attendant on a flight from Mexico to Los Angeles.

The incident occurred on the 21st on American Airlines flight 377, which departed from Mexico and was heading to Los Angeles. According to a video shared on social media, Tungkur tried to sit in an empty first-class seat about 20 minutes after takeoff. When a flight attendant stopped him, saying "That's not allowed," he chased the attendant and punched the back of their head.

Immediately after the plane landed, Tungkur was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The airline stated, "The passenger involved in this incident will be banned from future flights."

Disruptions on flights in the US are considered serious crimes. Those causing disturbances that threaten aircraft safety can face up to 20 years in prison.