American Airlines plane forced to make surprise landing after passenger outburst

An unruly passenger forced an American Airlines flight to be re-routed after chasing after a flight attendant who asked him to stop vaping.

The Dallas, Texas-bound flight took off from Milwaukee, Wisconsin at around 5.30pm on Tuesday was diverted to Tulsa, Oklahoma due to the disruptive passenger, the airline said without providing further details.

The first class passenger was vaping openly until a flight attendant warned him to stop, saying it was a violation of federal regulations, according to PYOK, an airline news site run by a self-described international flight attendant.

The traveler denied he was vaping and then chased the flight attendant toward the front of the plane, before other passengers stepped in to protect the crew member, PYOK reported.

The flight was diverted to Tulsa due to an unruly passenger 

American would not confirm those details, only stating that the flight was redirected due to a ‘disruptive customer.’

Tulsa Airport confirmed that after landing, the individual who ‘smelled of alcohol’ was met by airport police and transported to Tulsa County Jail.

The flight, which had 103 passengers and five crew member on board, then diverted to Tulsa, where law enforcement was waiting.

‘We thank our team for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for the inconvenience,’ American said in a statement.

The plan took the skies again and arrived at Dallas Fort Worth Airport an hour behind schedule.

Vaping aboard planes is prohibited by federal rules due to  due to their risk of ‘smoke, fire and extreme heat’, according to the FAA.

Anyone caught vaping during a flight can be fined up to almost $2,000 and once on the ground, charged with a felony crime.