American Airlines flight with 4 Congress members diverts over passenger

An American Airlines plane carrying four members of the Arizona congressional delegation to Washington, D.C., changed its course on Tuesday to Kansas City, Missouri, after a passenger caused a disturbance.

Flight 1218 departed Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Nov. 11, 2025, and was rerouted due to a “disturbing customer,” the airline told Fox News Digital.

“On November 11, American Airlines Flight 1218, with service from Phoenix (PHX) to Washington, D.C. (DCA), was diverted to Kansas City (MCI) due to a disruptive customer,” American Airlines told Fox News Digital. “law enforcement met the flight and removed the customer, and the flight later returned to DCA, where it landed normally.

“We thank our customers for their patience and our crew members for their professionalism.”

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Rep. Greg Stanton, a Democrat from Arizona, posted on X that he and three of his Republican colleagues — Reps. Eli Crane, Andy Biggs, and Paul Gosar — ​​were on the plane when the accident occurred.

“I’m traveling to DC to vote ‘no’ on CR that fails to lower health care costs. @RepEliCrane, @RepAndyBiggsAZ and @RepGosar are all on board,” Stanton wrote. We are making an emergency stop in Kansas City to remove disruptive passengers. None of my colleagues are disruptive. “The Freedom Rally loses its magic.”

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Flight data shows the Airbus A320 remained in the air for approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes before turning to Kansas City International Airport around 6:15 p.m. local time.

A video posted by another passenger on the

American Airlines passengers were restrained and thrown to the ground as they entered the cockpit: video

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Kansas City police officers board American Airlines Flight 1218 to remove a disruptive passenger after the plane was diverted to Washington, D.C., November 11, 2025. (Credit @Adam_Burtner)

The flight departed again about an hour later and landed at Reagan National Airport shortly after 10 p.m

“On a serious note, thank you to Kansas City Police for handling the situation professionally and without incident,” Stanton later wrote.

Stanton said he headed to Washington to vote against the ongoing Republican resolution to end the government shutdown, while his GOP colleagues supported the plan.

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President Trump signed the legislation on Wednesday, officially reopening the federal government after a 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history.

The House approved a funding bill from the Senate, by a vote of 222 to 209, to restore federal salaries, fund air traffic controllers, and revamp nutrition programs.