Delta passenger threatened to cut off flight attendant’s head

A man aboard a Delta Airlines plane attacked a flight attendant, put her in a chokehold, and threatened to “cut off her head” before slashing the woman, police said.

The chaos erupted on Wednesday at around 4 p.m. when Flight 2432 landed at the Louis Armstrong International Airport, in New Orleans, from Atlanta, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said Nelson Montgomery, 39, pulled out a ‘”sharp object” and hurt himself with it, before the agitated man turned his attention to a nearby flight attendant.

A witness on the fight said Montgomery put the woman in a chokehold and brandished what appeared to be a broken piece of glass, warning other passengers to stay away or he would decapitate her, Fox8 reports.

The flight attendant was cut twice before a group of passengers rushed Montgomery and kept him subdued until police arrived.

The witness aboard the flight, who asked to remain anonymous, told Fox8 that once Montgomery was subdued, they were asked to provide medical assistance to him because he was bleeding profusely from his neck.

Deputies said Montgomery was taken to a nearby medical facility to be treated for his injury. Police noted that despite being slashed twice, the flight attendant only suffered minor injuries that were treated at the scene.

Montgomery was charged with aggravated battery, disturbing the peace and simple battery, and will be processed at the  Jefferson Parish Correctional Center once released from the hospital.

Delta airlines said in a statement: “Delta flight 2432 operating from Atlanta to New Orleans was met by law enforcement personnel upon landing following a reported customer issue onboard.

“Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior on our aircraft and in our airports. Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our people and our customers,” the airline added.

The incident comes amid a steady trend of unruly passengers causing chaos aboard planes, with Delta previously making headlines in June when a “violent” man aboard an international flight broke free from his restraints and caused pandemonium in the air.

The flight departed Paris and bound for Detroit, Mich., but was diverted to a Canadian airport after a 34-year-old passenger began causing fear to his fellow travelers and forcing the flight crew to restrain him.

The suspect, however, broke free from the initial restraints before the aircraft touched the ground, only to be pounced on by five to six other passengers until they made the emergency landing, according to Fox 2.

The Federal Aviation Administration has recorded about 857 cases of unruly passengers in the first half of 2023.