What Happened
On April 27, 2026, Delta Flight 1323 was preparing to depart Miami International Airport for Atlanta when a passenger refused to end a phone call. Flight attendants made repeated requests for the passenger to hang up while giving safety instructions as the plane was taxiing, but the customer did not comply and became disruptive and belligerent.
Escalation and Removal
Due to the passenger's continued disruptive behavior, the captain decided to return the flight to the gate. A Delta supervisor asked the passenger to deplane, but she refused. Police were called, and the situation escalated to the point where Delta decided to have all passengers deplane from the aircraft so the individual could be removed. The passenger, identified as Shannon Marie Harris, was arrested as she attempted to leave with other passengers.
Charges and Consequences
Harris was charged with trespassing-related offenses following her arrest. The incident resulted in approximately one hour of delay for the flight. Delta issued a statement emphasizing that the safety of customers and crew comes before all else and that the airline has zero tolerance for disruptive behavior.
Passenger Reaction
Other passengers expressed frustration with the situation, with some recorded on video saying things like 'Please be considerate. Consider the rest of us' and demanding the disruptive passenger be removed from the plane immediately.
Regulatory Context
Federal regulations require passengers to follow crewmember instructions aboard aircraft. The Department of Transportation notes that failure to follow crewmember instructions may violate FAA regulations by interfering with the crewmember's ability to perform duties, with potential civil penalties up to $13,910. 
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