A viral video shows an Alaska Airlines flight attendant intervening by punching an elderly man who grabbed a woman’s hair on a recent flight from Oakland, California to Portland, Oregon. The incident occurred on February 1, just before takeoff.
The elderly passenger with grey hair and glasses suddenly yanked the long black hair of the woman seated in front of him, holding on tightly despite attempts to make him stop. A female passenger also stepped in to help free the woman. Once the grip was broken, the woman moved away while the crew restrained the man.
The flight was cancelled after authorities were called and the unruly passenger was taken into custody. Alaska Airlines confirmed that the man had a violent medical episode involving physical assault against other passengers and crew.
The airline permanently banned the man from flying with them. The woman at the center of the incident described her ordeal, stating that the man was experiencing a psychotic episode and banging his head on her seat before grabbing her hair. She expressed gratitude for the flight attendant’s intervention and assistance from other passengers.
Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/alaska-airlines-flight-attendant-punches-elderly-man-who-grabbed-womans-hair-video-viral-2677724-2025-02-10