American Airlines described the diversion as a safety measure and praised the crew’s response.

By Joe Lombardi From Daily Voice

A cross-country American Airlines flight carrying four members of Congress was forced to divert after a disruptive passenger became unruly, causing alarm in the cabin.

The incident unfolded on American Airlines Flight 1218, which departed Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for Washington, DC, on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

The plane was carrying Arizona Reps. Greg Stanton (D), Eli Crane (R), Andy Biggs (R), and Paul Gosar (R), all en route to the nation’s capital to participate in a crucial vote to end the partial government shutdown.

About two hours and 41 minutes into the flight, a female passenger began causing a disturbance directed in part at the congressional group. The outburst unsettled passengers and crew, prompting the pilots to divert the aircraft to Kansas City International Airport as a precaution.

Upon landing, local law enforcement boarded the plane and escorted the woman off without further incident. The flight then resumed its journey, eventually landing in Washington, DC, about one hour and 18 minutes behind schedule.

Stanton, formerly mayor of Phoenix, addressed the incident on X, formerly Twitter, writing, "We’re making emergency stop in Kansas City to remove disruptive passenger. None of my colleagues is the disruptor." He later thanked Kansas City police for handling the situation professionally.

American Airlines described the diversion as a safety measure and praised the crew’s response. The airline said, “We thank our customers for their patience and our crew members for their professionalism," in a statement to NBC affiliate KSHB in Kansas City.

As the woman was being escorted off the plane, a video posted on social media shows her saying to passengers in the cabin, "Sorry, folks. We live in a fascist state."

Despite the delay, all four lawmakers made it to Washington in time to vote on the government funding bill.