MIAMI — Frontier Airlines Flight 3345 was diverted to Miami International Airport on Sunday after a passenger became disruptive during the flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The aircraft landed safely in Miami around 11:55 p.m. ET.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the crew notified air traffic control of a 'passenger disturbance' mid-flight. Frontier Airlines confirmed the passenger 'became disruptive' before the diversion, prompting law enforcement to board the aircraft upon arrival in Miami and remove the individual. The flight continued to Chicago a few hours later.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, flight attendants and other passengers reported that the man tried to open the exit doors while the plane was in flight, stating he wanted to get off. When instructed to sit down, he ignored crew instructions and walked to the front of the plane, where he attempted to enter the cockpit.
Flight attendants made multiple attempts to return the man to his seat and eventually moved him to a different location on the aircraft. An off-duty flight attendant volunteered to sit in the man’s row on the aisle to monitor him. When the off-duty crewmember stood to use the bathroom, the man tried to grab his bag.
After being told not to touch the off-duty flight attendant’s belongings, the man attacked him, attempting to choke him, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. Other passengers helped restrain the individual, and flight attendants and passengers were eventually able to keep him subdued until the plane landed.
The man was arrested after the aircraft arrived in Miami. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office charged him with one misdemeanor count of battery, and the FBI interviewed him following his arrest.
The FAA said it pursues legal enforcement action against any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with airline crewmembers, and can propose civil penalties up to $43,658 per violation. The agency also reported that airlines have documented more than 640 'unruly passenger' incidents so far in 2026.