AVIATION

7 July 2021: Charlotte, North Carolina

An American Airlines flight was delayed when dozens of passengers were told they could not fly because of mask violations and disruptive behavior. “They were yelling. They were cussing. They were being very obnoxious,” a witness said. The group was identified as recent high school graduates traveling together for the trip. The flight was also experiencing other delays related to mechanical issues, passenger unruliness, Tropical Storm Elsa, flight-crew time limitations and the closing time of customs and immigration in Nassau. Consequently, the plane didn’t take off from Charlotte until 24 hours after it was originally scheduled to leave. Eventually it did take off. Surprisingly, the previously unruly teens were on that flight after employees in Charlotte ensured that they agreed to comply with the mask policy and crew instructions.